Whether it's a classic Chilli Con Carne with beef, or a vegetarian version loaded with luscious kidney beans or black beans, a hot bowl of chilli is hard to beat. At its base is a rich tomato sauce spiced with cayenne, cumin, oregano, chilli and garlic, it's a time honoured staple, with endless variations.
Enjoy chilli with rice, or use it to fill tortillas, tacos or quesadillas. We love them ladled onto smashed baked potatoes, and topped with sour cream, cheese and hot sauce. My inclusion of cocoa powder and coffee is not common, but trust me & give it a try! The cocoa mellows the acidity of the tomatoes and adds a smooth, velvety richness. The coffee adds a sharper note and compliments the other spices. While neither ingredient makes the finished dish taste at all like chocolate or coffee, both lend the dish a background complexity that truly makes the recipe sing. The recipe provides all you need for both a vegetarian and beef version.
Tomato soup is the ultimate comfort food. Nourishing, crowd pleasing and adaptable, It’s a back-to-basics classic that needs no bells and whistles. It requires little prep or skill, with the result invariably greater than the effort. And in this cost of living crisis, my tomato soup is very budget-friendly. Because guess what? This delicious, rich, velvety soup uses tinned tomatoes!
The odds are that you already have all of the ingredients in your pantry to make it, meaning it could be on your table in under 45 minutes from now. While it’s simmering, prepare a stack of grilled cheese toasties, hot buttered toast or crusty bread. Or enjoy it by itself in a mug, and proudly sport the resulting tomato soup moustache. Note: 4 tablespoons of butter may seem like a lot, but rest assured this is what gives this tomato soup its silky texture and deep flavour. I find it also eliminates the need for cream. |
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