Farro And Fresh Tomato Soup With Basil Food

SUMMER TOMATO AND BASIL SOUP WITH FARRO

Steps:

• Cook farro in a rice cooker according to manufacturer's instructions for brown rice, about 30 minutes.
• Clean the cooker, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and set to "cook." Add onion and a pinch of salt, then close lid. Stir every 5 minutes or so, until onions begin to brown, about 20 minutes. If cooker clicks to "warm," reset it to "cook."
• Add garlic and cook 3 to 4 minutes. Add tomatoes with their juice, basil and a teaspoon of salt. Stir, close lid and cook 30 minutes.
• Add farro and thin with broth until soupy. Close lid and simmer another 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with a generous drizzle of olive oil and, if desired, cheese.

TOMATO AND FRESH BASIL SOUP

Steps:

• (Note: I totally omit the cream. After cooking and then processing, the soup has a nice thick consistency that doesn't really need to be thickened more- or the added calories. Simply omit the pressing of the soup through the sieve and the addition of the c) Heat the oil and butter in a large saucepan until foaming.
• Add the onion and cook gently for about 5 minutes, stirring, until the onion is softened but not brown.
• Stir in the chopped tomatoes and garlic, then add the stock, white wine and sun-dred tomato paste, with salt and pepper to taste.
• Bring to a boil, then lower the heat, half cover the pan, and simmer gently for 20 minutes, shirring occcasionally to keep the tomatoes from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• Process the soup with the shredded basil in a blender or food processor, then press through a sieve into a clean pan.
• Add the cream and heat through, stirring.
• Do not allow the soup to approach the boiling point.
• Check the consistency and add more stock if necessary, then season with salt and pepper.
• Pour into heated bowls and garnish with basil.
• Serve at once.
• (Can also be frozen and served later.).

FARRO AND FRESH TOMATO SOUP WITH BASIL

Steps:

• 1. Pour 8 cups cold water and 1 1/2 tablespoons salt into a pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower heat to medium, add the farro and basil stems, and cook until grains are tender but still a little chewy, about 25 minutes. Drain, reserving the liquid. 2. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant and golden, about 2 minutes. Stir in the leek and a pinch of salt. Reduce the heat to medium and cook leeks until soft, about 5 minutes. 3. Stir in the tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 cup reserved cooking liquid. Bring to a simmer. Cook until the tomatoes have completely fallen apart, about 30 minutes. 4. Using an immersion blender, blender or food processor, purée the tomato mixture until smooth (you may have to do this in batches). Add half the farro and pulse until the grains are broken down and the soup is a chunky purée. Stir in the remaining farro. If the soup seems thick, add more cooking liquid. Taste and add more salt if needed. Ladle the soup into serving bowls. Drizzle with oil; top generously with black pepper and torn basil leaves.

ROASTED TOMATO SOUP WITH FRESH BASIL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Place tomatoes, onion and garlic in a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan; drizzle with oil. Sprinkle with thyme, salt and pepper; toss to coat. Roast until tender, 25-30 minutes, stirring once. Cool slightly., Process tomato mixture and basil leaves in batches in a blender until smooth. Transfer to a large saucepan; heat through. If desired, top with croutons and sliced basil.

COLD TOMATO SOUP WITH FARRO

Steps:

• Cut cucumber into 2 equal pieces. Peel and roughly chop one piece, and cut the other piece into 1/4-inch dice, for garnish.
• Working in 2 batches, blend roughly chopped cucumber, tomatoes, onion, garlic, vinegar, olive oil, salt, farro broth and ice cubes (if using) in a blender for 2 minutes or longer, until smooth and frothy. Taste and adjust salt. Transfer to a bowl or container (a metal bowl is the most efficient for chilling) and chill for 1 to 2 hours.
• Place about 1/4 cup cooked farro (or spelt) in each soup bowl. Ladle in the soup. Garnish with diced cucumber and basil. Drizzle on olive oil if desired and serve.

FRESH TOMATO SOUP WITH BASIL

Steps:

• Heat the butter or olive oil in a thick saucepan, and add in the chopped onion, garlic and potato and soften them gently without browning for about 10-15 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, if you are using dried basil then add it in now alongwith the worcestershire sauce, stir well and let them cook for a minute.
• Pour in the stock and give it a good stir and season with salt and pepper and cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Blitz the soup and then pass it through a sieve to extract the skins and pips.
• Check seasoning, add in the fresh basil then return the pan to heat and bring to boil again.
• Serve hot or ice-cold.