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Showing posts with label cool. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cool. Show all posts

Friday, November 15, 2013

Tomato Basil Soup with Toast Strips


Have you ever looked at the ingredients of canned tomato soup? Don’t do it, it will scare you. This tomato soup is completely fresh. It is packed full of nutrients from the tomatoes and the carrots give it even more veggie boost. Add some basil for flavor to top off this wonderful little dish. I also like adding some type of bread to have some extra texture. Of course, grilled cheese also complements this soup nicely! Makes about 4 servings.

Soup
4 cups of roasted tomatoes (see tip below) or two cans of tomatoes
1 cup carrots, steamed
½ cup vegetable broth
1 Tbsp fresh basil, chopped
1 tsp garlic, minced
Shredded cheese, optional
Fresh basil, for topping, optional
Toast Strips
3 slices of GF bread
Butter
Garlic salt
Parsley
  • In a large stockpot, combine tomatoes, carrots, broth, basil and garlic. Bring to a boil and cook for about 10 minutes.
  • Using an immersion blender, blend soup until smooth.
  • Ladle into bowls and top with shredded cheese and basil if desired.
  • While soup is cooking, spread a thin layer of butter on both sides of GF bread slices.
  • Cut each bread slice into 4 strips. Sprinkle with garlic salt and parsley.
  • In a skillet or on a griddle, cook both sides of toast strips until lightly browned. Serve toast strips with soup. 

  • To roast tomatoes: cut tomatoes (I prefer Roma tomatoes) unto halves or quarters. Place tomatoes cut side down on a baking sheet lined with foil. Sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper. Broil tomatoes at 500°F for about 15 minutes. If necessary, cover with foil to prevent splattering in the oven.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte


How about a recipe for a great fall morning drink? I woke up this morning to a cool 50°F and rain. We also have soccer games today that were not cancelled. I’m sure glad I decided to whip this drink up this morning as I needed a warm start to the day! I don’t drink a lot of coffee but I get tired of plain tea all of the time. This turned out perfect! Enjoy! This makes about two small servings or one  big one!

1 cup almond milk (I used unsweetened vanilla)
½ cup chai tea concentrate (Store bought or homemade-see below)
1 tsp pumpkin puree
½ tsp honey
¼ tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp pumpkin pie spice
whipped topping, if desired
  • In a small blender (I used my Magic Bullet), blend together milk, tea, pumpkin, honey and cinnamon. Blend for about 45 seconds or until drink is smooth.
  • Warm the drink mixture either on the stove or in the microwave to desired temperature.
  • Pour into a coffee mug, add whipped topping and sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice if desired.

 
CHAI TEA CONCENTRATE

½ cup water
1 Chai tea bag
  • Heat water in a small saucepan, add tea bag and steep for about 10 minutes or until tea is very strong.