Monday, October 29, 2012

Parmesan Tomato Basil Soup

 
 
Zoulah welcomes you to Red Couch Recipes! 
 
You can tell that  winter is approaching the Red Couch home.  Today I tarped the dog run where the chicken coop is so that the chickens can't get out.  I also winter fertilized the lawn, and pulled away all the dead flowers and greenery that died because of the freezing night temperatures.  Tonight we served a delicious warming soup for dinner.  This soup is so rich and flavorful that even my non-soup lovers like it.  It has four different vegetables that give this soup an irresistible flavor.  I highly recommend it.  This is the second time that Zoulah has made this for the Red Couch family.  It is perfect for a chilly evening.
 
 
I served the soup in these little bakers from Michael's that I bought last year.  I added a few croutons and a bit of pepper; I am a huge pepper fan!
 

 
 
Recipe for Crock Pot Parmesan Tomato Soup
 
 Ingredients
2 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes, with juice
1 cup finely diced celery
1 cup finely diced carrots
1 cup finely diced onions
1 tsp dried oregano or 1 T fresh oregano
1 T dried basil or 1/4 cup fresh basil
4 cups chicken broth
½ bay leaf
½ cup flour
1 cup Parmesan cheese
½ cup butter
half and half, warmed
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
 
Directions:
1. Add tomatoes, celery, carrots, chicken broth, onions, oregano, basil, and bay leaf to a large slow cooker. Or you can use a large dutch oven on the stove top.

2. Cover and cook on low for 5-7 hours, until flavors are blended and vegetables are soft.  If using a dutch oven, bring ingredients to boil and then simmer until vegetables are soft for about 15 minutes.

3. About 30 minutes before serving prepare a roux. Melt butter over low heat in a skillet and add flour. Stir constantly with a whisk for 5-7 minutes. Slowly stir in 1 cup hot soup. Add another 3 cups and stir until smooth. Add all back into the slow cooker or dutch oven.  Stir and add the Parmesan cheese, warmed half and half, salt and pepper.  If using a slow cooker, you may wish to add more spices because the spices may weaker during the long cooking period

4. If using a slower cooker, cover and cook on low for another 30 minutes or so until ready to serve. If you are using a dutch oven, just cook until all the ingredients are incorporated, and the soup has thickened.
 
Zoulah's Notes:  One of the Red Couch children is tomato-phobic, so Zoulah took the tomatoes and ran them in a food processor for a few minutes.  She found this recipe on Pinterest which was from the blog Random Thoughts and Thrill hosted by Debbie.  Zoulah has made this for us twice.  The first time she used regular half and half and the second time she used fat-free half and half.  We didn't notice a difference between the two.
It is a tradition of the Red Couch Family to serve spider bread at least once during the Halloween season -- tonight was the night.   Sometimes he comes out looking like a sea turtle with a few extra legs, but we love him.  The head usually is the first thing to go.

 
 
We carved a few pumpkins over the weekend.  This one was carved by Tati.
 
 
I carved the ghost and did the drilling on the "disco ball" one.  My girls kept on spilled it, and it had the effect of a disco ball.
 

 
We made quicky and scary Halloween pumpkins for a church Halloween party.
 
 
 
Please turn your thoughts and prayers towards those in "Frankenstorm's" path. My husband who is living in Northern Virginia was told not to come to work today and tomorrow.  Today they lost power for awhile, but it is back on.  I do not think that Northern Virginia will be hit as hard as other areas.  He said he went to the store to get some peanut butter and bread so he would have something to eat if the stores close down!
 
Thanks for dropping by Red Couch Recipes.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow, I can't help drooling. I just love the Crock Pot Parmesan Tomato Soup
Well done!
If you submitted your Crock Pot Parmesan Tomato Soup photos to http://www.foodporn.net , I'll bet they will make you on the home page.
Gosh, you have made me sooo hungry !

Sarah said...

Joni, love soups for cold evenings. Must be fun around your house with all these special Halloween dishes. ;-)
Glad you were able to talk to your husband. ~ Sarah

Lisa said...

Sounds delicious - I think I will be trying it!
xo,
Lisa

Anonymous said...

this looks warm and wonderful and Ilove your pumpkin carvings! anne

Marigene said...

Soups are a staple here during cooler weather...will be putting this one on the menu, for sure.

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

The soup looks great, Joni, as does the cute spider bread. Great job on the pumpkins. Hope your hubby is safe and sound.

Donna and Anne said...

Boooo-tiful!!!

Sue said...

This soup sounds delicious! I'm sure I would love it:) My husband is a major pepper lover also. Sometimes he puts so much pepper on his food it makes me sneeze!

Jacqueline said...

Sounds like a perfect Halloween night treat served in your cute dishes or even a pumpkin! Love the wonderful warm weather. Glad hubby made it through the storm so well. We have a couple of ward members living in Manhattan. One was 4 blocks away from where the electricity went off. She was rehearsing for a play so by the time she got to stores all the water was out. Her dad told her to go to the deli and get sandwiches for 5 days and to fill the tub and sink with water. What a mess! I hear Halloween is being postponed there. Good idea. Have fun tonight. We will have over 300 show up.

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

Delicious looking soup, Joni! Glad the storm is over and hopefully, your husband didn't have to deal with the snow they were predicting.

Engageya