The tomato soup most of us are familiar with is the thick, creamy, tangy and somewhat sweet variety. Most tomato soups folks have nowadays, are the ones that come in cans – just heat and eat. In the stressful times we live in, it is natural to reach for the ready-made stuff so that’s one less thing to do. However, processed food typically has a bunch of unhealthy ingredients, so I stay away from it as much as possible. It’s a while since I’ve had tomato soup from a can. My wife used to make this delicious cheese toast I used to enjoy with Campbell’s tomato soup. She’s been off grains for a few years now and I eat very little bread or cheese, so that’s a distant memory!
Indian Soups
Due to lack of a better word, I’m currently including dals and rasams in the ‘soup’ category. The reason I say this is that dals are lentil based with a thick texture and mostly had with roti or rice. It’s not that they cannot be enjoyed by themselves as a soup. In fact, dilute them a bit and they make perfectly good soups. Let’s just say that I’m perfectly fine enjoying Dal Makhni by itself, but I’d like to rice or roti with Palak Dal.
Sambar and Rasam
Unlike dals, sambar and rasam probably fit better in the ‘soup’ category. Sambar is lentil based but loaded with vegetables and spices. It is dilute enough to make a perfect, hearty soup. However, it is mostly served with rice or snacks like idli, dosa etc. Rasam on the other hand, is made from a base of tamarind and water. Think of it like a Tom Yum Soup. Tangy, loaded with spices, making it a perfect soup for a chilly day.
Sambar
Tomato Soup with Seasoning
Just like rasam, this tomato soup is somewhat diluted. Tomatoes replace tamarind here. This delightful recipe is ready in under 20 minutes. For those of you who may not have some of these ingredients, a trip to your neighborhood Indian grocery will help. I typically enjoy this soup with steamed rice and Blended Chana & Cluster Bean Curry or Opo Squash Yellow Mung Curry. The combination is perfect, with a side of Crispy, Delicious, Banana Nuggets.
Tomatoes provide an excellent amount of vitamin C and beta-carotene, manganese and a good amount of vitamin E. This soup also has other ingredients like Turmeric and Cilantro that bring in additional nutritional value and flavor.
Don’t forget to check out our other delicious soups while you’re here:
- Pepper Rasam – Zesty Pepper Tamarind Soup
- White Wine Infused Carrot-Ginger Soup
- Uma’s Veggie-Medley Soup
- Spicy Buttermilk Soup
- Roasted Butternut Squash & Black-Eyed Peas Soup
- Vegan Creamy Mushroom Soup
- Yellow Mung Detox Soup
- Creamy (Sans Cream!) Broccoli Asparagus Soup
- Raw Red Bell Pepper Soup
- Chilled Cucumber Dill Soup
- Sambar
- Thai Curry Vegetable Soup
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Tomato Soup with Seasoning
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Tomato - Large Pieces
- 1/4 Cup Cilantro - Fine cut
- 1/2 Teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon Sea Salt - Or To Taste
- 1 Tablespoon Jaggery - Powdered
- 1 Teaspoon Coconut Oil - Extra Virgin
Seasoning Ingredients
- 1 Teaspoon Chana Dal
- 1 Chili Green Chili Pepper - Small, Sliced
- 1/2 Teaspoon Mustard Seeds
- 1/2 Chili Dry Red Chili
- 6 Leaves Curry Leaves
- 1/2 Teaspoon Cumin Seeds
Instructions
- Chop tomatoes and prepare seasoning ingredients (curry leaves, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, dry red chili, chana dal, green chili pepper).
- Stove-Top Method:Steam tomatoes to soften them and allow to cool. Remove skin, crush, add sugar, salt and mix well. Heat oil in a pan on low flame and sauté curry leaves, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, dry red chili, chana dal, green chili pepper. Add the tomato mixture to the pan and stir well for 3-4 minutes. Add water depending on your preferred consistency.
- Instant Pot Method:Set IP to 'Sauté' mode. Once the 'Hot' sign comes up, add oil and give it a minute and sauté seasoning ingredients till the mustard seeds splutter, add turmeric and mix well. Add tomato, and sauté for a few of minutes. Add salt, jaggery powder, 1.5 cups of water, mix well, tighten the lid and set IP to 'steam' mode for 10 minutes. Quick release, remove lid, add cilantro, mix well.
- Transfer to bowl and enjoy hot soup.
