food files

the soup has been on at my house throughout the winter season. before this year, i never ever made soup. (except that one time in college and it turned out horribly.) fast forward to now, i found some amazing recipes that are fast and inexpensive, and easy for me to pack for lunch! perfecto.

first up, this tomoato soup. i loveee tomato soup, but let's get real, that stuff in the can is scary and who actually thinks a homemade version can be any good without extra heavy cream? exactly. but the thing is you're wrong. this number by love and lemons is vegetarian (vegan if you don't add any cheese) and dairy free. and it's so creamy and thick and rich you're going to think you should feel guilty for eating and entire bowl. but NO! don't! because it's good for you and super healthy.

i didn't alter the recipe much, but i didn't use white wine (didn't have any) and my sun-dried tomatoes weren't packed in anything (i just covered them with boiling water for 15 minutes and then added them to the soup). as for the heat - i was really liberal with the red pepper flakes and i can't imagine making it any other way :) oh, and no pine nuts, again just because there weren't any in the house.

okay so get to cooking! i swear you're going to be in tomato soup heaven! xo

food files

i stopped at the store last night to pick up a few things, mainly the last few ingredients for tomato soup (more on that later). but they had broccoli rabe again. i LOVE broccoli rabe, mostly on my pizza. but, omg, this recipe for pasta with garlicky broccoli rabe by smitten kitchen is now in regular rotation. i rarely make pasta for myself, but there something so deliciously addicting about the broccoli/garlic/red pepper flake combination i found myself throwing caution to the wind and whipping up and entire pound (insert gasp of horror!) of pasta last night. 

plus it was, like, lightening fast to make. i raced against the clock to get it done before yoga and i smelled like garlic made it! with enough time to spare to eat an entire bowl of it oops. 

now the rest is packaged up for lunch and sitting in freezer to grab and go over the next few weeks. yes i have some self control when it comes to consuming a pound of pasta. 

anyway, i think this is a crowd pleaser and just the thing to whip up for the neighbors for dinner or for when the entire fam is together. it's quick, painless and delicious and not that bad for you. (i cut back on the oil, cheese and salt.)

make it this weekend, let me know what you think! bon appetit!