Tomato Soup with Chunky Vegetables

Some time back when the price of tomatoes was high, I bought a box of tomato paste and stocked up my pantry. I tried to substitute fresh tomatoes with tomato paste in the Indian curries. It proved to be a bad idea. I turned out to the net seeking ideas to use the paste. Looks like soups are the best. Now I make soup with tomato base very often.



2 tbsp tomato paste
3 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp pepper flakes
1 cup low sodium, fat free vegetable broth, optional
1 tbsp cooked rice or small pasta, your choice of shape, optional
2-3 tbsp of cooked dried beans of your choice
I used white beans
your choice of vegetables for the soup
I used corn, peas, green beans,

Cook the vegetables and the cooked beans in little water or in vegetable broth till tender. In 2 tbsp of water mix the tomato paste throughly and add it to the vegetables, continue to cook, bring it to a boil. In a tsp of oil, roast garlic and pepper flakes and add to the soup. Add the cooked rice or if using pasta, separately cook it, drain and add to the soup.


Serve hot with toasty croûtons on top