Creamy Tomato and Thyme Soup

Galatians 5:22-23  

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  meekness, self-control; against such there is no law.

 

Happy Birthday my dear, Jeffrey!!

   I approach this day with thankfulness, joy, peace and a heavy heart.  Today would have been Jeffrey's 56th birthday.  I am thankful that he no longer is suffering and is in heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ  where there are no tears, pain or sorrow. I have joy knowing that someday I will join him.  But now I have a heavy heart.  I have memories to comfort and pictures to look at but my human emotions overwhelm me on "special" days like this one.  To be expected I know. So I guess I will just have to find comfort in eating all the birthday cake by myself....just kidding....but I do bet I stop by Merritt's (best bakery in Tulsa) and get something to celebrate!!!   After all someone should do it and it should be me!!  We will celebrate his legacy and all the wonderful memories we have of him when the girls get home next week along with another birthday celebration for Miss Ella.  One can never celebrate a birthday too much....each one is a gift from God.   Today I will choose to walk in JOY that can only come from my heavenly Father. 

 

Dresden Plate Quilt --- layout -

This is what I am working on currently up in the "sweatshop"!! 

I have decided to sash with triple one inch strips connected with 9 patch squares

I have 14 blocks completed.  I am going to have to make 6 more.  The quilt will be 4 blocks by 5 blocks.

 This project may take me longer than the month of February to put together since I have to make 6 more Desden Plate Blocks.  The blocks are 12 1/2 unfinished.


Recipe for Thursday:
Winter Creamy Tomato and Thyme Soup

I found this recipe over at Simply So Good .  I tried it last week.  I LOVE my Tomato Basil Soup but am unable to make it in the winter because I use a TON of basil from my summer garden and in the winter I would go broke trying to purchase enough to duplicate the taste.  I don't even know if they carry that much in my grocery store at one time.   I usually make my soup in Aug/Sept and freeze enough for the winter but that didn't happen this year.  So I tried this recipe and made a few changes.  It is good and will fulfill my longing for Tomato Soup this time of year.

Ingredients:
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 (28 ounce) cans Hunt's Whole Peeled Tomatoes with Basil
2 cups Chicken Broth
6 sprigs Fresh Thyme
1/2 cup Fat Free Half and Half
salt and pepper to taste

Ingredients assembled....Ready to Cook!

 

Peel and chop the carrots and onions.

 In a large dutch oven, add olive oil and saute chopped onions and carrots over medium heat.  Cook until the onions are translucent.  You don't want any color on these vegetables.

 Add tomatoes, chicken broth, and Thyme

 Cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes or until the carrots and onions are very soft.

 My immersion blender!!  I use this a lot.  In fact it is my second one in 10 years.  So much easier than putting hot soup in a blender or food processor.  I would highly recommend getting one if you puree a lot of soups.

Using an immersion blender, carefully blend soup to desired consistency  I leave mine semi-chunky.

Add Half and Half to taste as well as salt and pepper.  I used about 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper.

This was our lunch table for the "Soup" tasting.  

A little "Valentine's" table setting for lunch with a friend to try out my version of the soup.

      We got so excited and chatty that I forgot to take a picture of the finished product!!!  Oh Well...I sent the rest of the soup home with her so I will have to take a picture next time I make it.  Suffice to say....It was GOOD!!!


Winter Creamy Tomato and Thyme Soup

Ingredients:
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 (28 ounce) cans Hunt's Whole Peeled Tomatoes with Basil
2 cups Chicken Broth
6 sprigs Fresh Thyme
1/2 cup Fat Free Half and Half
salt and pepper to taste

 Peel and chop the carrots and onions.
  In a large dutch oven, add olive oil and saute chopped onions and carrots over medium heat.  Cook until the onions are translucent.  You don't want any color on these vegetables.

 Add tomatoes, chicken broth, and Thyme.

 Cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes or until the carrots and onions are very soft.

Using an immersion blender, carefully blend soup to desired consistency.

Add Half and Half to taste as well as salt and pepper.  I used about 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper.

  There is a No Knead Cheddar Bread that I made to go with the soup that is OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!

I will tease you with a picture but you will have to come back Friday for the recipe and complete instructions!!   

Happy Trails, 

Mtn Mama