Tomatoes

They are the staple for so many dishes, fresh in salads, roasted then added to sauces or blended up to make a warming soup. A tasty and warming bowl of homemade soup can make even the dreariest day feel warmer.

One of the simplest and easiest soup recipes we know is always a crowd pleasure.

• Roast six – eight medium tomatoes in the oven at 140C for 30 mins with some olive oil, a sprinkle of salt and a few cloves of garlic.
• Once they are juicy and soft add to a pan and almost cover with water, you can always add more if it’s too thick. Here you can also add a splash of balsamic vinegar or a pinch of chilli for an extra zing.
• Bring to a gentle simmer then blend until smooth. If you want an extra creamy finish you can add a splash of cream , spoonful of crème fraiche or a drizzle of soya cream. Give it a stir and season to taste.

Serve with crusty bread or crispy croutons.

---