Cream of Tomato Soup

Tomato soup reminds me of the good old newlywed days when DH and I were living on a grocery budget of $20 a week. We ate a lot of grilled cheese sandwiched and tomato soup for our lunches in order to live cheap. We used to throw in a little bit of cream into our canned soup to make it better. This soup comes pretty close to how we used to eat it. Now when I eat this cream of tomato soup a flood of memories come back of that first year of being married and all fun times we had. It's become a comfort food to me.

Ingredients:
2 tbsp(30ml) butter
1/2 onion
5-6 chopped, skinned tomatoes(see this link)
1 tbsp(15ml) brown sugar
2 tbsp(30ml) butter
1/4 cup flour
1 1/2 cup(360ml) milk
1 1/2 cup(360ml) water
1 tsp(5ml) salt
pepper to taste

Directions:

Assemble ingredients. Deskin tomatoes. Core and chop tomatoes.

Melt butter over medium heat.

Add onions and cook for 5 minutes until onions are translucent. Stir every minute or so.

Add chopped tomatoes,

and brown sugar and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring every few minutes.

Puree tomatoes in blender or food processor. Set aside.

Rinse and dry pot. Melt additional butter. Add flour and stir.

Cook 2-3 minutes over medium heat stirring often.

Gradually add milk

and water, whisking to combine evenly.

Keep whisking as you cook for 2-3 more minutes until mixture has thickened.

Add tomato puree and heat until soup is almost boiling, stirring often so the bottom does not scorch.

Add salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Basic Crepes

This past week was my son Miles' birthday, and when I asked him what he wanted for his birthday he replied without hesitation, "Crepes!"
We had these with fresh strawberries and some sour cream sweetened with powdered sugar. We also surreptitiously put a little Nutella on a few of them(hey- it was his birthday after all). Bananas, peaches or raspberry jam are also favorite toppings.
You can also turn crepes into a meal by stuffing them with more savory things like ham, asparagus, and cheese.Although they take just a bit more finesse than pancakes, your patience will be well rewarded. They are delicious with both savory or sweet fillings.

Ingredients:
2 eggs
1 cup milk
2 tbsp oil/butter
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup flour
Desired fillings


Directions:

 Assemble ingredients:

 Add eggs to bowl.

 Beat until well combined, then add milk.

 Add oil and salt and beat until well combined.

 Slowly add flour, whisking to combine until all of the flour is incorporated.

Grease your frying pan and heat over a medium flame until hot.

Add about 1/4 cup (80ml) to the center of the pan. Rotate and swirl the pan until the batter forms a nice wide circle.


Cook 2 minutes or until the edges start to crisp a little.
Carefully turn and cook on the other side until done.

Add desired filling.








Roll up. Eat and enjoy.