Make your winters heavenly: Tomato soup in just 30 minutes

Winter brings some yummy and heathy food to eat everyday. This winter I bring some heathy soup to try with family. This is an easy recipe and simply delicious. Tomato Soup is always good as a starter or light meal with salad and crusty bread.

Ingredients
4 cups finely chopped ripe tomatoes, 1 bayleaf (tejpatta), 3 whole black peppercorns (kalimirch), 1 1/2 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp plain flour (maida), 1/4 cup tomato puree, 2 tsp sugar, salt and to taste, 1 1/2 tbsp fresh cream.

For the garnish
2 tsp fresh cream.

For serving
1/4 cup deep-fried bread croutons.

How to make 
Combine the tomatoes with 1 cup of water in a deep non-stick pan, add the bayleaf and peppercorns, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 8 to 10 minutes, while stirring occasionally.Remove the bayleaf and discard it. Allow the mixture to cool completely.

Blend the mixture in a mixer till smooth and strain it using a strainer. Heat the butter in a deep non-stick pani, add the plain flour and sauté on medium flame for 1 minute. Add the prepared tomato mixture, 1 cup of water, tomato purée, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 1 minute.

Add the sugar, salt, pepper and fresh cream, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 2 minutes, while stirring occasionally. Garnish with fresh cream and serve hot with bread croutons.

Preparation Time: 20 mins   
Cooking Time: 14 mins    
Makes 2 servings