Giada's Hearty Tomato Soup with Lemon & Rosemary

First, here is the Cooking Channel's Link to this great recipe:

http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/hearty-tomato-soup-with-lemon-and-rosemary-recipe/index.html


I watched Giada's Show on a cold, raining evening and I thought the soup recipe looked absolutely delicious. I thought it was the perfect night for soup and I thought I had most of the ingredients. I discovered, I did not have all the ingredients, so I improvised. I did not have the Cannellini Beans, fresh rosemary, fresh Lemon or the Creme' Fraiche.

Here's my variation of the above link I provided from the cooking channel Giada's soup is named Hearty Tomato Soup with Lemon & Rosemary. My soup is named:

Hearty Tomato Soup with Rosemary

4 Tblsp of Butter
1 Large Onion chopped
6 Carrots, peeled and chopped
3 Garlic Cloves Chopped

Put the butter in a large Soup Pot, Melt the butter on Med High heat. Add the remaining ingredients and cook until tender (4 - 5 min)

1 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
1 28 oz can of whole, peeled tomatoes
3 cups of chicken broth
1 bay leaf
3 teaspoons of dried Rosemary
1 teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper
2 teaspoons of Paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper.

Add to the tender veggies above...Bring to a boil...reduce heat and simmer for 30 min. Remove Bay Leave and in batches, Puree the soup in a blender...Pouring the pureed soup back into another soup pot to keep warm on the stove.

Mix a cup of sour cream, 1 teaspoon of Rosemary and 1 teaspoon of Lemon juice. Add Dollups of the mixture to the bowls of soup.


Comments: I think Giada's recipe on The Cooking Channel is perfect. I think the Cannellini Beans would be great and I want to try the Creme' Fraiche instead of Sour Cream.

Additions I liked and will keep for the future. I do like the additon of the Paprika...gives it a little smokey flavor. For some reason, I like the thought of more carrots. Not sure it changes the flavor all that much. Makes me feel healthier..LOL ! Also, I like the soup better with a tad bit more Cayenne Pepper. It gives the soup a tad more spice, but the sour cream or Creme' Fraiche softens it. Genius on Giada's part.

Now get out there and try it !! Thanks Giada & The Cooking Channel for a great recipe.