42) FIVE STAR TOMATO & DATE SOUP

FIVE STAR TOMATO & DATE SOUP

ONE OF THE TASTIEST OF ALL SOUPS

Ingredients:

1)    Fully ripe tomatoes – 1 kg.

2)    Butter – 100 gm.

3)    Onions – 150 gm.

4)    Dates – 225 gm.

5)    Pepper powder – ½ teaspoon

6)    Garam masala powder – 1 pinch

7)    Salt to taste

To Cook:

Chop the tomatoes and put them in a pressure cooker on the stove. Pour in 100 ml. of water. Cover and cook till you hear the first whistle. Switch off the heat and allow to cool naturally. When cool, transfer to a food processor and grind to a fine paste. Using a stainless steel sieve, roll and rub gently to collect all the smooth paste.

Clean the dates by picking off the seeds and the stem caps. Immerse in boiling water and let soak until it cools naturally (the water should be just enough to cover the dates). Tip over the bowl of dates together with the water into the food processor and grind to fine paste.

Peel and chop the onion. Set a small pan on the stove. Put in the onions and the butter and fry on low heat stirring frequently until it becomes golden brown. Grind to fine paste.

Put the date paste and the onion paste in the vessel of tomato paste. Pour ½ litre of water, stir and set on the stove. When the soup starts to boil, tip in the pepper powder, garam masala powder and 1½ teaspoons of salt (if you have used salted butter, remember to go easy on the salt).If you find the soup too thick, add enough water to bring it to the correct soupy consistency. Taste and add more seasoning or sugar or pepper powder to suit your palate. 

Your five star tomato and date soup is now ready. Take off the stove and serve hot with fried toast.

 Bon appétit!!!

Note:

If you do not like dates, you can use 150 gm. of sugar.