DISH NAME : TOMATO SOUP (INDIAN)

Preparation Time : 20 minutes

Cooking Time : 15 minutes

Description

Ask any Indian about soup, and obviously it's Tomato soup that would come to their mind. Before the advent of indo- chinese soups, the only soup available to Indians was the tomato soup. This soup was served on Indian railways and in army messes all over. And hence the soup is also known as army mess or railway tomato soup. This version of tomato soup uses indian spices and omits the use of dairy cream.

Note

1) i used sunflower oil. Use any neutral tasting oil.
2) I've used beetroot to give a good color.
3) Carrot has been added to give body & sweetness.
4) Some communities in India do not use garlic. So it is entirely optional.

Method

1) Heat oil in a pressure cooker/
2) Saute onions til l transparent. Do not brown
3) Then add ginger & garlic and saute lightly.
4) Add tomatoes, chilli powder, turmeric, pepper corns, water, cardamom, salt, beetroot and carrot .
5) Let the cooker give out 3 whistles.
6) Put off fire. Let steam go. Then open.
7) Add corriander stalk & blend to a fine puree.
8) Now strain with a soup strainer.
9) Pour into a vessel.
10) Add sugar.
11) Cook for about 15 minutes for flavors to blend
10) Add butter after removing from fire.
11) Serve hot topped with croutons.
For making Croutons:-
1) Remove the brown crust from bread slices. Cut each into 4 or 6 square pieces depending on the size of slice.
2) Add butter and oil to a pan,
3) When it heats up, add bread squares & fry until golden brown on both sides. Remove and keep aside to garnish soup.

Serving Suggestions

Serve soup hot garnished with croutons and garlic bread on the side.