Smoky Tomato Soup in 20 Minutes

In my mind, nothing captures the cozy atmosphere of a rainy autumn day better than curling up in front of the fire with a good book, a cup of tea, and this wonderful soup and sandwich combo.

Once you taste the smoky depth that smoked paprika and alder wood smoked salt add to this super easy tomato soup and the richness of the butter and half and half, all for less cost than buying a can of soup...well, you'll never visit the soup aisle of the grocery store again. I promise.

Ingredients:

2 lbs ripe tomatoes

1 medium sweet onion

6 Tablespoons butter

1/4 teaspoon smoke paprika

1/4 teaspoon Alder wood smoked salt

dash ground red pepper

1/4 cup half and half

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Cut tomatoes into quarters and the onion into chunks and butter into slices. Add all to saucepan and cook on medium-low heat. Allow to cook for 15-20 minutes until the onions soften and the tomatoes reduced to mush.

2. Add in seasonings. Stir. Then using an immersion blender, been until the tomato soup reaches a chunky smoothness that you desire. 

3. Gently fold in the half and half and bring to desired heat again. Taste and adjust seasonings.

4. If you're feeling so inclined, finish with a dollop of pesto and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. 

Serve with your favorite grilled cheese sandwich or with a oven-melted pita pepper jack cheese sandwich.

Perfect for a rainy autumn day!

Suzanne Elizabeth Anderson is the author of: Comfort Me: Easy Meals to Bring Your Family Back to the Table

Join Suzanne at: www.facebook.com/suzanneelizabeths or www.suzanneelizabeths.com.