It like reliving my mom’s life.My father used to call her midway to home and she used to put the soup pot on the stove top so that it is ready until he reached home.A piping hot bowl of soup topped with a dollop of butter and homemade bread croutons was an integral part of winter evenings in my house.And the prelude to supper was incomplete without stories from the whole day from everyone..everybody shared their highlight of the day.It was so much fun.Yes I m getting nostalgic and I have to stop.
P calls home when he starts from office and I start warming the soup so that we can enjoy bowl fulls while watching T.V. together.Though I try to make a different soup each day but we both really look forward to evenings when tomato or lentil soup is on the menu.We share our day and discuss about colleagues sometimes or make plans for the weekend over warm sips of soup.I innately find living my life, running the household etc quite similar to the memories of my mom .Even my problem solving approach towards the household is similar.
Tomato Soup or “Tamatar ka Shorba” is indian tomato soup which is brothy, laden with subtle hints of spices and the aroma of ghee[clarified butter]Though in restaurants you will usually find it laden with milk and cream but the home version tastes more like tomatoes.Indians have this inherent liking for tomato soup.It is the most popular soup in the subcontinent followed closely by lentil soup.Atleast I feel so.As winter approaches, almost all cafes gear up to install a tomato soup machine in the cold northern parts especially.Its a classic beverage served at weddings and dinner parties.Again there are a lot of varieties all over the country.You will find use of coconut milk and tamarind in the south indian tomato soup and the north indian type is pleasant tasting with yogurt,cream or milk.
Over the weekend I created a sort of fusion meal of tomato soup and puffy chilli cheese sticks for both of us.Did I just call soup a meal..yes I did.For me,a tomato soup bowl is a meal.Because I have to have at least two bowls of it without caring about skipping dinner.Or rather its an escape from the kitchen on weekend nights.The worst thing I can do to put myself off on a weekend evening is to slog in front of the stove.
An easy soup to make with a secret ingredient which is not a secret any more as I write the recipe.Instead of bread croutons try making these darn easy cheddar sticks which go really well with the soup and make the experience similar to the classic american combo of grilled cheese & tomato soup.The best pat of the recipe is that you can vary the spices and condiments in the soup as you like..I like putting a lot of ginger in my soup and not so much garlic..feel free to twist the recipe to your liking. As far as the chilli Cheese Puffs go,they may not be the most beautiful thing in the world but they taste heavenly.And yes …taste while you cook..food comes out more delicious!
Indian Tomato Soup
What I need [Serves 2-3 ]
- 4 cups roughly chopped tomatoes [any variety which is not very sour]
- 3 tbsp yellow moong lentils [the secret ingredient]
- 3 tbsp ghee [clarified butter] or unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp grated ginger
- 1 fat garlic clove
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 ” stick cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp roasted cumin seeds [bhuna jeera]
- 2 bay leaves
- 5 cups of water/vegetable stock/chicken stock
- 2 tbsp red chilli powder [adjust to taste]
- pinch of turmeric
- 1/4 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- Fresh lime juice [to taste]
- Salt to taste
- Chopped cilantro,butter/cream for garnish
How I did it : Boil the chopped tomatoes,moong dal and salt with of water/stock till cooked.Once boiled, transfer to a blender or food processor and blend to a smooth consistency.Strain the soup through a soup strainer to remove the tomato skins and seeds.In a medium pot, melt the ghee and add chopped onions to it.Saute for 5 minutes, till onions are soft.Next, add the grated ginger and garlic and saute for 30 seconds more.Next add the strained soup mixture, cinnamon, bay leaves, turmeric,roasted cumin seeds,red chilli powder to the pot.Check the salt and add more water/stock depending on the consistency you want your soup.Let the soup come to a boil, lower the heat and simmer on low for 15 minutes.Once cooked, remove from heat and add the sugar & garam masala. Squirt a lemon wedge over the soup,garnish with cilantro and a dollop of butter and serve warm with chilli cheese puffs [recipe below] or croutons or bread sticks.
Chilli Cheddar Puff Sticks
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1 tbsp red chilli powder [or paprika]
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 beaten egg, for brushing
- 1 tsp salt to sprinkle
- Flour for dusting
How I did it: Preheat the oven to 400F /200 C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.On a floured surface, unfold your puff pastry.Brush the puff pastry sheet with egg wash thoroughly.Spinkle red chilli powder and salt over the whole sheet.Now, spread the grated cheese on half of the puff pastry sheet leaving 1″ from the ends and press the cheese down so that it sticks to the surface.Re-brush the left out 1″ with egg wash thoroughly.Fold over the other half of the pastry sheet over the cheese and seal the edges.You can use a fork to pinch the edges.Take a rolling-pin and roll out the pastry slightly.Once rolled out, brush the top with egg wash again.Cut out 18-20 strips of the puff pastry of about 1/2″ width.Twist the strips holding them between your hands. Bake the sticks for 8-10 minutes or until light brown.
Enjoy!
Sending this to Hearth n Soul #35
I am a soup FIEND! I think I have told you that. I have a spicy tomato soup on my site somewhat similar to this spice combination that I put together from a recipe I read in the dentist’s office. I LOVE IT. I find lentils also add a lovely thickness to a soup if ground into a flour before they are added, too.
I cannot wait to try it!
Valerie
(and the breadsticks would be delicious and so simple; they are so pretty, too!)
The tomato soup looks very comforting Tanvi. I liked the cheddar bread sticks recipe as well
ahh this reminds me of the american classic grilled cheese + tomato soup!
Tomato soup looks similar to mysore rasam except gram masala and extra spices. sure it taste great, puffed chili cheddar looks awesome.
O GOODNESS this looks awesome!!! Gonna try it ASAP.
Soup looks so yummy and comforting. Sticks have multiplied the taste manifold of this entire preparation.
Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi
nothing beats a nice homemade soup on a cold winter days..looks hearty and comforting..
This tomato soup looks great! I bet the Indian spices taste delicious! I will have to give this recipe a try! Yum!
Looks delicious as usual. I’m glad your soup is filled with spices as I hate bland soups!
The spice should give a kick to this soup and the best dip is the puff sticks!
Thats a comforting bowl of delicious soup, those puff sticks looks absolutely stunning and inviting..
Wow…thatz one comforting and tandy soup..
Love the puff sticks as well..
First time in ur lovely space..great collection
Wow .. just wow.. Look at those beuatiful treats! Don’t they look delicous? I should give this a go very soon! Thanks for sharing.
Well, this looks scrumptious. I’m definitely making this – tonight!
~Mary
I really can’t eat tomatoes raw because I’m allergic to the acidity so I won’t make the soup (thank goodness I can eat tomato sauce because it’s cooked down). BUT, those chili cheddar puff sticks will be made
. I can’t wait to try them out. Wonderful post Tanvi 
Such a perfect meal! Love the addition of chili powder in the sticks, looks so yum….
Wow soup looks so colofrul and delicious..Loved the idea of cheesy puff sticks.
What a beautiful soup, Tanvi! Soup, a tidbit, and salad are a favorite wintertime dinner at my house, and I make a version of Tamatar ka Shorba quite often. Yours looks so much better, and certainly more authentic, than mine, though. Must try (and, luckily, I have 2 kilos of fresh tomatoes from my garden in my kitchen waiting for a use right now). Joy!
I love a really good tomato soup although I’ve never seen one just like this with so many spicy & deep flavours.., so you know what I’m going to do now don’t you Tanvi…, I’m really going to have to keep this one for our cooler months & give it a go. I never knew tomato soup was a favourite in Indian cuisine…, interesting fact. Thanks for sharing
Oh how clever, the secret ingredient! Now I’ve gotta try it. But you got my imagination running by mentioning the version with tamarind. That sounds really good as well. I’m always so happy when you link up your memories and recipes with the Hearth and Soul hop. Thank you, friend!
yum! I tend to think that tomato soup is boring, but with spices it will be better right? And thx for letting us know about the secret ingredient
loved the cheese sticks, so perfect….soup too looks good with tempting pics…
I love tomato soup and your flavorful version looks wonderful. I love the idea that you have added lentils. It must add a wonderful flavor and boosts up the healthiness of the soup. I think your cheese puffs look beautiful too. What a great idea. I just so happen to have some left over pastry puffs. So I will have to make them soon and your delicious soup:)
When it comes to food, it seems u totally speak my language when it comes to flavours! This is another great one!!!
*kisses* HH
I have the same feeling too. I catch myself doing exactly the same thing as my mother used to do. I guess it is in the genes, don’t fight it, accept it and love it! This soup would be ideal for me now that I am sick!
oh wat a gorgeous post and stunning pictures, the tomato pic is awesome! wahta hearty soup and with cheese puff sticks, it is indeed a bowl filed of heavenly meal!
I LOVE the curry flavors in this tomato soup! It must have been so nice to come home to!
Chili cheddar puff sticks?! Oh my goodness, this sounds incredible!
Wow, that looks incredible…very tempting. gosh you did the sticks from scratch..hats off, buddy.
Glad to find another everyday soup fan
bookmarking the cheddar sticks..looks too good to pass
I love soup, especially tomato! I like the addition of lentils to this soup. I can almost taste the depth of flavor they add. Those cheese sticks look pretty darn tasty as well! Such a delicious pairing.
Yummy…i never tried my hand at making tomato soup……but thanks to you i have a nice recipe to start with!!!
I love soups and Tomato Soup more or less tops the list along with chicken soup but in case of your recipe the piece de resistance is indeed the chilli cheddar puff sticks as we say in Hindi soup mein char chand laga degi……. ahem… will not translate that into English…. add 4 moons to the soup? NO!
I had some Tomato soup at our local Indian restaurant, it seemed kind of bland. But looking at this recipe and the ingredients it makes me want to try it at home.
Will let you know how it turns out.
Mely
In all my years of cooking I have never made a tomato soup….luckily now I have one and a secret ingredient soup as well!! Love your pictures and thanks for sharing at the hearth and soul hop.
Those cheese sticks look delightful as well as does this recipe
Hey,
Made your chicken balls in coconut rice for Vday. We looooved it. Unfortunately I couldn’t get a picture. We were so hungry that we couldn’t wait to take a picture.
Love those cheddar sticks. Got to try these next.
This soup looks so tasty! Great recipe!
A very colorful and awesome presentation, love to have tomato soup any day.
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This is definitely a meal. Love the combination of soup and the cheese sticks!
I and my family tried, for the first time, tomato soup from our local favorite Indian restaurant. The waitress assured us it was good. It was. She said it had cardamon in it. I decided to find out more about Indian tomato soup so we could make it ourselves. This looks like a great recipe which I will be trying soon. I also did not know that this is a favorite among Indians; this is just the kind of information that is so fun to learn! Thanks. Will get back to you after I try the recipe