What You Don't Know Can Hurt You

Do you know what is in that Diet Coke?  How about that 7-11 Burrito?  Those chips?  What about those sulfites in that glass of red wine.  And what about that frozen pizza?  Okay, all of those preservatives, additives and what ever else have been approved by a government agency but what do they do to our bodies?  Please go on line and check out a documentary titled "The Beautiful Truth".  Then you will know just a little more about what can hurt you.
Now what doesn't hurt you is this scrumptdelicious Spanish Tomato Soup.  It is made with some tomatoes from a neighbor.  It has been such a warm autumn here in Mallorca that things are going a little haywire.  Spring asparagus are popping up, some almond trees are starting to flower a little early, foraging for mushrooms is still going strong and the vegetable gardens are still producing summer delights.

Use the freshest ingredients possible.  If you can't find great fresh tomatoes
go ahead and use canned whole peeled tomatoes.

Slice and dice

Blanch the tomatoes to peel off the skin

Blanching and sauteing 

Saute until turning a little brown

Chop the tomatoes after they have been peeled

Add tomatoes to browned vegis 

Reduce until a nice coat is sticking to the bottom of pan for nice flavoring then add water.

Add chickpeas and cook a bit longer, correct seasoning and serve pipping hot

I made one large crouton with my homemade whole wheat and rye bread

I have called this a Spanish Tomato Soup because of the Saffron and Spanish Paprika I used.  If you are recovering from treatments go ahead and omit the spices.  I would normally put in some fresh thyme but I didn't have any but if you can go ahead and use some. 

Spanish Tomato Soup

by Jeff Harter

Prep Time: 1/2 hour

Cook Time: 1.5 hours

Keywords: appetizer soup gluten-free low-carb nut-free soy-free sugar-free vegan Spanish

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Tomatoes are solid cancer fighters. They are loaded with lycopene. Studies show that people who have the highest blood levels of lycopene are at much lower risk of developing various form of cancer including cancers of the cervix, bladder and pancreas. Tomato a day will keep the doctor away.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 8 tomatoes
• 3 small green peppers
• 1/2 onion
• 2 carrots
• 1 stalk celery
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp sweet smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp spicy paprika
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tbsp oregano
• 1 tbsp curcuma
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 20 threads of saffron
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 cup red wine
• 4-6 cups water/vegi stock
• 1 cup chickpeas
• salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

• Blanch the tomatoes and discard the skins then chop.
• Meanwhile, slice peppers, onion, celery and carrots.
• Then saute in 4 - 6 quart heavy pot with olive oil for about 15 mins. or until slightly brown. Add tomatoes and cook for 30 mins. Then add spices and herbs or omit. Cook for additional 3 mins then add wine and cook 5 mins to reduce and cook off the alcohol. Then add water or stock and bring to a boil. Simmer for about 1/2 hour. Add chickpeas and cook for another 15 mins. Add salt and pepper and serve nice and hot.