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Thursday Recipe Exchange: Tomato Soups
Soooo…anything happening this week I should know about? 
It’s been a flurry of activity here. Saw Pitch Perfect and really liked it. I roasted my first turkey of the season, it turned out pretty good, I may post about that later this weekend. A friend had knee surgery so I went and did a bit of gardening for her. It was a beautiful, warm day to be in the garden and she has a fabulous yard. But all good things must come to an end, and the weather is about to turn and be quite chilly. This put me in the mood for tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches, so I dug around and found two of my favorite tomato soup recipes that I haven’t made in a while, mostly because I’m been making batches of spinach tomato soup. I thought it was time to add some variety. Both of tonight’s recipes are almost as quick as opening up a can of soup, but much more satisfying.
First up is the Hearty Tomato Soup and Totally Awesome Grilled Cheese (recipe here). I use roasted tomatoes when I can for a more complex flavor. The featured recipe of Tomato Bell Pepper Soup was originally part of a menu that included Orange Glazed Salmon, but it’s just as good with a nice sandwich for a quick dinner.
How about you, when the weather turns cold, what do you start to crave? Do you make your own tomato soup and how do you jazz it up? What are your favorite, go-to soups on a cold fall day?
The photo above is JeffreyW making the simplest lunch look delicious.
And finally, tonight’s featured recipe:
Tomato & Red Bell Pepper Soup:
- 4 large, ripe tomatoes, halved (or equivalent canned diced tomatoes)
- 1 red onion, peeled quartered
- 1 large red bell pepper, halved & seeded
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 1 tsp crushed garlic
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh basil leaves
- 4 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled
grilling basket & saucepan
Toss tomatoes, onions & bell pepper with oil, season with salt & pepper. Place vegetables in grilling basket, cut side down and grill for 6 to 8 minutes. Add vegetables, garlic, chicken broth, vinegar, sugar to blender and puree. Pour into saucepan, bring to a low boil, stirring constantly, add cream & basil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Garnish with bacon when served.
Black Bean and Cheddar Burgers
Originally published 08/25/12:
Now for something completely different to grill. I love black bean burgers, but the frozen ones can leave a lot to be desired. So I’ve been looking around for a good recipe. I found this one, but cannot tell you where, sorry to say. I’ve changed up few things, made it a bit spicier and a bit moister. Grill or fry on medium heat to keep the burgers from drying out. Makes 4 good sized burgers, though you may want to double the recipe to serve 4-6 people.
Black Bean and Cheddar Burgers
- 1 (15.5-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 6 ounces sharp cheddar, grated (about 1-1/2 cup)
- 1/2 cup dried breadcrumbs* soaked in 1 to 2 tbsp milk
- 1/3 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro or Italian parsley
- 1 tbsp chopped, pickled jalapeno
- 3 green onions, finely chopped
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsps minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Serve with:
- 4 hamburger buns
- Tomato and avocado slices for garnish
In a mixing bowl, with a potato masher, mash half of beans into coarse puree; add remaining ingredients. Work mixture together by hand until it holds together easily. Shape mixture into four 3/4-inch-thick patties. Oil a large piece of aluminum foil, place on a grill set to medium heat and place burgers on the foil. Cook for about 8 minutes per side or until browned on outside and heated through to center. Serve on buns, topped with tomato and avocado.
You can also fry these on medium heat in a covered, well oiled skillet.
*for gluten free, use quick oats instead.
Week one of burger week…
Thursday Recipe Exchange: Vegetarian Delights
Cross posted at Balloon-Juice
I’m travelling, en route to San Diego, so you’re on your own – no keggers and try not to riot. Tonight we’re going vegetarian with two recipes. I’m often asked for vegetarian recipes, so I’m always on the lookout for good ones, can’t wait to see what you guys come up with. Next week: Fruit Desserts
I love black bean burgers, but the frozen ones can leave a lot to be desired. So I’ve been looking around for a good recipe. I found this one, but cannot tell you where, sorry to say. I’ve changed up few things, made it a bit spicier and a bit moister. Grill or fry on medium heat to keep the burgers from drying out. Makes 4 good sized burgers, though you may want to double the recipe to serve 6-8 people.
Black Bean and Cheddar Burgers
- 15.5-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained, or dry equivalent
- 6 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded (about 1-1/2 cup)
- 1/2 cup dried breadcrumbs soaked in 1 to 2 tbsp milk
- 1/3 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro or Italian parsley
- 1 tbsp chopped, pickled jalapeno
- 3 green onions, finely chopped
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsps minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Serve with:
- 4 hamburger buns
- Tomato and avocado slices for garnish
In a mixing bowl, with a potato masher, mash half of beans into coarse puree; add remaining ingredients. Work mixture together by hand until it holds together easily. Shape mixture into four 3/4-inch-thick patties. Oil a large piece of aluminum foil, place on a grill set to medium heat and place burgers on the foil. You can also fry these on medium heat in a covered, well oiled skillet. Cook for about 8 minutes per side or until browned on outside and heated through to center. Serve on buns, topped with tomato and avocado.
The pasta caprese has appeared here before. I make it both vegetarian and gluten free, so it’s my go-to recipe for company. From one of our Thursday Night Menus (link includes my favorite chocolate cake):
Pasta Caprese
- 9 oz dry pasta
- 2 large tomatoes, diced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tsp crushed garlic
- 4 oz cubed mozzarella
- salt & pepper to taste
saucepan and large serving dish
Prepare pasta according to package directions. While it’s cooking, mix remaining ingredients together. Drain pasta completely (dab with paper towels, if necessary) then add to tomato mixture. Let sit for 10-15 minutes to let flavors blend. Serve warm or you can refrigerate and serve cold. Add a nice loaf of bread for a complete dinner.
I use a fairly expensive mozzarella for this dish because it’s softer, tastier and absorbs more flavors. Any locally produced mozzarella would work. Also, my local farmers’ market has a pasta vendor, who hand-makes many flavors of pasta. This dish works very well with flavored pastas – fire roasted chili, lemon pepper, tomato basil, red bell pepper – the list goes on. You can also change-up the cheese to a Queso Blanco (again, use a fairly expensive or locally produced one), use cilantro instead of basil and use a chili flavored pasta for a whole new dish. The possibilities are endless.
Mmm…pasta salad
TaMara’s macaroni salad had me jonesing for my own this fine day.
I didn’t follow a recipe, exactly. I knew there needed to be pasta of some sort and a half bag of these bowties seemed to fit the bill. I knew I wanted to use some of the cherry tomatoes our patio plantings are bearing for us. Half the battle, right there. Mayo seemed obvious, and that took me to the sour cream right there by it in the fridge. So far, so good. OK, celery, diced a few stalks, and that suggested celery seed, in went those things. Onion, check-red bell pepper, check-dill weed, check-a little minced dill pickle? Why not, check. Hmm..hard boiled eggs! Yes, absolutely! A little touch of sour? Aah, some rice vinegar is pretty mellow, some sweet to balance the sour? Splenda-splendid! Some kosher salt and some black pepper and Ta Da!
