A Creamless Creamy Tomato Soup

Packaged soups are typically loaded with calories and detrimental ingredients, like sodium, unhealthy fats, and thickening agents – and they are often not even that tasty. With this easy homemade Creamless Creamy Tomato Soup, you can have the warm goodness of soup with none of the guilt.

A bowl of soup is like a blank piece of paper ready for your creative touches. Garnish bowls of soup with any of the following: a handful of croutons, a sprinkling of minced fresh herbs (chives and parsley are especially good), a dollop of yogurt or sour cream, a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, chopped nuts, or sunflower seeds.

Creamless Creamy Tomato Soup

Serves 1 to 2 (makes 2 cups)

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons extra- virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped shallot
• 1 garlic clove, peeled and minced
• 1 (14.5- ounce) can diced tomatoes, opened
• 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 slice hearty white sandwich bread*, torn into 1-inch pieces
• 1 teaspoon packed brown sugar

Directions:

1. In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium- low heat for 1 minute (oil should be hot but not smoking). Add shallot and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly browned, about 3 minutes.
2. Pour tomatoes and their juice into the saucepan. Stir in broth, bread and sugar. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until bread starts to fall apart, about 5 minutes.
3. Remove pan from heat. Let tomato mixture cool for 5 minutes.
4. Transfer tomato mixture into a blender jar. Place lid on top of blender and hold lid firmly in place with a folded dish towel. Process until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour soup into bowls or mugs and serve.

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* Try substituting whole grain bread (without seeds) for added health benefits.