Deirdre (Atlanta) on 03/01/2017:

ROASTED TOMATO AND GARLIC SOUP

Ingredients:

2kg/4.40 lbs large ripe plum tomatoes, halved
1 garlic bulb, cut in half horizontally
2 large red onions, peeled, quartered
Few sprigs fresh thyme
1 tbsp golden caster sugar (superfine sugar)
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Optional Ingredients:

250ml/9fl oz vegetable stock (optional)
100ml/3.38 fl oz single cream (optional)
Few drops balsamic vinegar (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:
Heat the oven 375 degrees. Place the tomatoes, garlic, onions and thyme into a large roasting tin and season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Drizzle with the oil, and roast in the oven for 40-50 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly. Mash the garlic with the back of a fork, and discard the skin. Tip the roasted tomatoes and onions into a food processor along with the mashed garlic, and pulse until smooth. If the soup is too thick, pour into a large saucepan and loosen the mixture with either vegetable stock, or single cream. Add balsamic vinegar, to season, if you like.

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Deirdre's Variations

LENTILS
Using the above but blending just half a head of the peeled and roasted garlic, I pulsed the ingredients in the blender and then stirred half the recipe into two cups of cooked red lentils. Add more of the sauce if you want lentil soup.

PASTA SAUCE
I substituted dried oregano for fresh thyme during the roasting process. I did NOT use any of the optional ingredients. I then pulsed the ingredients in a food processor and added about 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne and some fresh basil. I also used a teaspoon of honey instead of caster sugar. Most delicious pasta sauce ever!! I served it over rice pasta.

NOTES:

The above 3 recipes taste better the second day, but who can wait!

Get ready for a most delicious, lingering aroma while the tomatoes and garlic are roasting in the oven!

A hint of butter added the soup/sauce right before serving brings out the flavor.