Seeing Red

When was the last time you had a bowl of "love apple" soup? You better be careful with this delicious soup... because tomatoes have been know to "increase sexual passion and cure sterility." I will admit that the soup was good... but I can't really say it was THAT kind of good... but hey if it gives you a warm special glow that goes beyond that cozy "soup is good food" feeling... then I say put the kids to bed early and go with it!

As cool weather begins to tease this poor Texas girl... I find myself craving soup. Maybe it is because I know that tomorrow may bring temperatures in the 90's again... but as I sit at the kitchen table over a bowl of steaming soup I dream of fall and all the wonderful flavors it brings. There have been nights recently that I put soup on the menu only to find that it was a bit warm for such musings... on those nights I close the windows... crank up the air conditioner... and dream!

I made tomato soup and grilled cheese for dinner the other night. The soup I made was called Hungarian Tomato Soup... It was a far cry better (in my opionion) than the stuff that comes in a can... and it was so easy to make. Tomatoes aren't really in season right now so if you can't find any good ones you can substitute 1 28-oz can diced or crushed tomatoes.

You'll need: 2 T. oil, 1diced onion, 1/2 diced red bell pepper, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 1/2 t. paprika, 4 cups chopped fresh tomatoes, 2 oz cooked and chopped bacon, 6 cups chicken or veggie stock, and salt and pepper to taste.

Saute onion and bell pepper until soft.

Stir in garlic and paprika and cook until all ingredients are mixed together.




Stir in bacon, tomatoes and stock and cook for at least 15 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste... Pure simplicity!

Serve with grilled cheese. I like to make mine on a nice crunchy wheat bread with lots of texture. I'm not a fan of American Cheese... so I usually make my grilled cheese with mozzarella or Monterrey Jack. You can make toasted cheese sandwiches if you are watching your waistline... but I always like to use real butter and grill mine to perfection.