Tomato Soup

I think Heinz Tomato Soup is just about every child’s favourite soup. Every child except me! I still don’t like the stuff, but I do love this homemade version with plenty of garlic and basil. It must be very well blitzed though… I don’t do lumpy tomato soup!

Feeds 4 Picky Pickers or 2 adults

1 very finely chopped small onion

1 crushed garlic clove

a drizzle of olive oil

1 400g tin of tomatoes

600ml vegetable stock – I usually use Marigold bouillon.

1 tablespoon tomato puree

fresh basil

a pinch of salt

 

Ingredients:

1: Gently fry the onion and garlic in the oil until soft.

2: Add the remaining ingredients and bring to the boil.

3: Turn down the heat and allow to simmer gently for 20 minutes.

4: Blend the soup until smooth and then reheat to serve with lots of bread and butter.

Tomato Salsa

This is really yummy with tortilla chips. I don’t tend to make it spicy for my lot, but add a little chilli if your gang like things hot!

Ingredients:

3 ripe tomatoes

1/4 of a red onion

Juice from 1/2 a lime

A little parsley

Method:

1: Chop the tomatoes into small pieces and add the very finely chopped red onion.

2: Tear up the parsley leaves and add those to the mixture.

3: Add the lime juice and stir to combine.

4: Pop in the fridge for at least an hour to let the flavours develop.

5: Serve with tortilla chips, pitta bread, or with griddled chicken.

Super Speedy Tomato Sauce

This is really garlicky and perfect for when you need to get tea together in a rush! It tastes amazing with meatballs and homemade tagliatelle. I often make it when I’ve been writing and discover I only have half an hour before we need to leave for Judo!

Serves 4 little ones

Ingredients

1 400g tin chopped tomatoes

1 large garlic clove

pinch of salt

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp tomato puree

1 tsp olive oil

3-4 fresh basil leaves torn into little pieces

Method

1: Heat the olive oil in a pan and add the garlic. Let the garlic sizzle gently for a moment, making sure it doesn’t burn.

2: Add the tomatoes, salt, sugar, and tomato puree.

3: Let the sauce simmer gently for 10 minutes, adding the basil for the last couple of minutes.

4: Serve onto pasta or rice.

Tomato Pasta and Pizza Sauce

This is the sauce I use on pizza, for melanzane and sometimes on pasta. It takes a little while to reduce, but is well worth the wait! Make loads and freeze so you’ve got some handy whenever you need it!

Serves 4 children for pasta or coveres 2 large pizzas.

Ingredients:

1 400g can of chopped tin tomatoes (Napolina work well)

1/2 medium onion

1 large garlic clove

pinch of salt

1 tsp sugar

1 teaspoon tomato puree

pinch of oregano (fresh or dried)

fresh basil

olive oil

boiling water

Method

1: Finely chop the onion and garlic. Heat a little olive oil in a pan and add the onion and garlic. Saute gently until the onion is soft. Make sure nothing burns!

2: Add the tomatoes, tomato puree, salt, oregano and sugar.

3: Add a little boiling water and let it bubble away gently to reduce for about half an hour.

4: Add some fresh basil leaves torn into little bits and stir through.

5: Serve or allow to cool and freeze until needed.