Tomato Soup – Contributed by Sapna

Ingredients:
1tbsp Olive Oil
1 Large Onion, chopped
1 Carrot, chopped
1 Kg Ripe Tomatoes, quartered (* Select ripe, full-flavoured tomatoes)
2 Garlic Cloves, chopped
5 Sprigs of fresh Thyme , Oregano & Parsely
1 Bay Leaf
3 tbsp sour cream or plain yogurt
Salt and Ground black pepper

Method:
1. Heat Olive oil in a large, preferably stainless-steel pan or flameproof casserole.
2. Add the onion and carrot and cook over a medium heat for 3-4 minutes until just softened, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the quartered tomatoes, chopped garlic and herbs. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes.
4. Discard the bay leaf and press the soup through a strainer. Stir in the yogurt or sour cream. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
5. Cool, then chill in the refrigerator. Serve with a garnish of yogurt.

I hope you enjoy the soup!
-Sapna.

Butternut squash soup.

Hi here is a recipe which I got from “foodnetwork” & tried it out. It came out well so thought will share it with you all.

Ingredients- Butternut squash 1 pound, 1medium size onion, 2 cloves garlic, salt to taste, 2 tsp curry powder ( I added garam masala) 1tbsp honey, Chicken broth ( optional) . If you dont get butternut squash try it with the orange pumpkin.

Heat up the oil & add the chopped onions & garlic. Saute them till they become soft then add the chopped butternut squash ( I would prefer to buy already chopped one, as its a tough job to cut the whole butternut squash) & about 2 cups of water or chicken broth. Cover the lid of the vessel & bring it to simmer about 15min till the squash cooks. Then add the honey & blend it. While serving drizzle some yogurt over the soup..

Palak/Spinach soup

Here is a simple recipe for spinach/ palak soup.

Ingredients-1 bunch of  Washed & cleaned Spinach, 1 medium onion, 1 tomato, 2 cloves of garlic, 2 -3 green chillies, 1 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp Dry oregano.

Heat up the oil, add the chopped onions, garlic, & green chillies. Once the onions become transparent add the chopped tomato. Then add chopped spinach & salt.  Saute for a bit then add water or chicken broth. Add black pepper & oregano . Cover the vessel & let the spinach cook on a low flame. Once the spinach is done let it cool down & then blend it in a mixer. You can add some lemon juice for added flavour.