Four Grain Tomato Soup Recipes

Steps:

• In a 6-quart stockpot or Dutch oven, heat oil, butter and pepper flakes over medium heat until butter is melted. Add carrots and onion; cook, uncovered, over medium heat, stirring frequently, until vegetables are softened, 8-10 minutes. Add garlic and dried basil; cook and stir 1 minute longer. Stir in tomatoes, chicken stock, tomato paste, sugar, salt and pepper; mix well. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, to let flavors blend, 20-25 minutes. , Remove pan from heat. Using a blender, puree soup in batches until smooth. If desired, slowly stir in heavy cream, stirring continuously to incorporate; return to stove to heat through. Top servings with fresh basil if desired.

Steps:

• Spray a soup pot with oil spry and add the onion-- sauté over medium heat for 5 to 8 minutes, until translucent. Add water as needed to keep from sticking.
• Add the celery, carrots, sweet potato, tomatoes, the four grains and seasoning.
• Stir in 6 cups stock and bring to a simmer. Simmer gently, covered, for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes or so.
• If the soup is too dense, adjust with additional water and return to a gentle simmer. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Simmer gently for another 15 to 20 minutes, or until the grains and vegetables are tender.
• If time allows, let the soup stand off the heat for an hour or two before serving, then heat through as needed.
• Just before serving, stem, wash, and coarsely chop the chard or spinach. Steam in a large saucepan with just the water clinging to the leaves, just until the leaves wilt, then stir into the soup.
• This soup thickens quite a bit as it stands.
• Add water as needed and adjust the seasonings.

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a soup pot. Add the onions and sauté over medium-low heat for 5 to 8 minutes, until translucent.
• Add all the remaining ingredients except the dill, salt, and pepper. Bring to a rapid simmer, then lower the heat. Cover and simmer gently for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes or so.
• If the soup is too thick, adjust the consistency with more water as needed, and return to a gentle simmer. Stir in the dill and season with salt and pepper. Simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes longer, or until the grains and vegetables are completely tender. Discard the bay leaves.
• Serve at once, or if time allows, let the soup stand off the heat for an hour or two, then heat through before serving. This soup thickens quite a bit as it stands. Add water and adjust the seasonings as needed.
• Per serving:
• Calories: 193
• Total fat: 4g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 6g
• Carbohydrate: 37g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 55mg

Steps:

• Pour 8 cups cold water and 1 1/2 tablespoons salt into a pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower heat to medium, add the farro and basil stems, and cook until grains are tender but still a little chewy, about 25 minutes. Drain, reserving the liquid.
• Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant and golden, about 2 minutes. Stir in the leek and a pinch of salt. Reduce the heat to medium and cook leeks until soft, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 cup reserved cooking liquid. Bring to a simmer. Cook until the tomatoes have completely fallen apart, about 30 minutes.
• Using an immersion blender, blender or food processor, purée the tomato mixture until smooth (you may have to do this in batches). Add half the farro and pulse until the grains are broken down and the soup is a chunky purée. Stir in the remaining farro. If the soup seems thick, add more cooking liquid. Taste and add more salt if needed. Ladle the soup into serving bowls. Drizzle with oil; top generously with black pepper and torn basil leaves.