Tomatoes with flare: Indian Tomato Soup.

Ingredients:

• 
  
  1/2 lb. red vine-ripened tomatoes or 1 (16 oz.) can cushed/diced toamtoes, undrained
  
• 
  
  2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  
• 
  
  1 medium onion finely chopped
  
• 
  
  1 green chile pepper, seeded and finely chopped (wear plastic gloves when handling)
  
• 
  
  3 garlic cloves, crushed or 1 tbsp minced garlic
  
• 
  
  1 tbsp tomato paste
  
• 
  
  4 cups vegetable broth
  
• 
  
  1/2 tsp curry powder
  
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  Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
  

Makes 4 servings

1. 
   
   If using fresh tomatoes, bring a large pot of water deep enough to submerge to tomatoes to a boil over high heat. Cut a small X in the bottom of each tomato and plunge them into the boiling water for 20 second each. Remove the tomatoes. When cool enough to handle, peel away the loosened skin. If the skin fails to peel away easily, return the tomatoes to the boiling water for an additional 10 seconds. Remove the cores from the tomatoes and coarsely chop the flesh.
   
   
   
2. 
   
   Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Add the onion, chile pepper and garlic and cook for 4  minutes, or until  soft. Stir in the fresh or canned tomatoes and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes.
   
   
   
3. 
   
   In a small bowl, blend the tomatoe paste with the vegetable broth and add to the saucepan. Add the curry powder and simmer for 7 minutes.
   
   
   
4. 
   
   To serve, divide the soup among  4 serving bowls. Sprinkle the cilantro on top for garnish.
   
   
   WW Points Value: 3
   

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Cookbook. I cooked this recipe for the first time earlier today and it was hot and delicious. Curry powder is common among Indian dishes. If your looking for tomato soup with a different flavor, this recipe is for you. It's also great to cook on a cold winter day. You will not go hungry after having this soup.