Happy Saturday! You know what I love about winter? It’s totally normal to eat soup numerous times a week. I adore soup. I even crave it during summer…although Peter usually doesn’t go for the idea of hot soup in a Georgia summer. What can I say? It’s easy to cook, flavorful, light, and pairs perfectly with sandwiches – which are another favorite of mine.

Yesterday for lunch we had some homemade tomato soup. Love. Is there anything quite as comforting as tomato soup on a cold day?

Ingredients

• 6 vine ripe tomatoes
• 2 medium red peppers
• 1 medium onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2-3 sprigs fresh thyme
• olive oil
• 1 - 6 oz can tomato paste
• 2 boxes of organic vegetable broth

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Slice tomatoes in half and remove all seeds. Slice and rough chop the red peppers into large pieces. Quarter the onion.

Place the tomatoes cut side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper along with the other vegetables.

Drizzle everything with olive oil and cover with fresh thyme sprigs. Roast in a 400 degree oven for 30 minutes.

In a large pot, put 2 tablespoons of olive oil on medium heat. Add tomato paste and allow to heat for a couple of minutes. Add all the roasted vegetables and thyme (remove from sprigs!) and stir for another few minutes until blended.

Add the vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Then, reduce to a simmer for 30 minutes.

Ladle into a blender 2-3 cups at a time and blend to a smooth consistency. Be sure not to overfill the blender. Repeat as necessary.

A perfect wintry soup dinner served. We had ours alongside some light chicken salad sandwiches for a delicious lunch.

This recipe is courtesy of my father. He actually just started a blog as well. I apparently am rubbing of on the family. 😉  His blog is a political one though, so I got the pleasure of sharing this recipe. I assure you it is GOOD!

Now we are off to a busy day with a few errands and a visit with Peter’s family.

Question of the Day – What are you up to this Saturday?

At 1:00 this afternoon, this was the weather in normally mild Georgia.

I know that is not near as bad as where some of you are, but its still flipping cold to me. I had nothing on my to-do list today and nowhere to be, so I managed to stay nice & cozy.

Makenzie & I hung out in sweats (or comfortable tacky outfits a 2 year old picks out) for the day.

We danced to Christmas music and snuggled with some books. Right now, she is all about “Rudolph song” and The Christmas Story book.

I sipped Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride hot tea and ate a lemon sugar cookie with icing from the cookie exchange over the weekend.

I took a nice nap, then entertained myself with this link a friend posted. Most hilarious pregnancy photos ever. Why have I not heard of this blog before?

I whipped up a bowl of comfort in the form of one of the most delicious soups ever.

Italian Tortellini Soup (from Taste of Home – shared by my friend, Danielle)

3 Italian turkey sausage links (4 ounces each), casings removed
1 medium onion, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced 2-3 heaping spoonfuls of pre-minced garlic
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) Reduced-Sodium Chicken Broth
1-3/4 cups water
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 package (9 ounces) refrigerated cheese tortellini (found whole wheat! woo!)
1 package (6 ounces) fresh baby spinach, coarsely chopped
2-1/4 teaspoons minced fresh basil or 3/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Dash Heavy sprinkling crushed red pepper flakes (I like it spicy)
Shredded Parmesan cheese, optional

Crumble sausage into a Dutch oven; add onion.

Cook and stir over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the broth, water and tomatoes. Bring to a boil.

Add tortellini; return to a boil. Cook for 7-9 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.

Reduce heat; add the spinach, basil, pepper and pepper flakes. Cook 2-3 minutes longer or until spinach is wilted. Serve with cheese if desired.

Make this! You know if I share a recipe it means it is tasty and amazingly easy.

Now, I think a blanket, another cup of tea, and The Biggest Loser Finale with my sister are calling my name for the remainder of the evening. Stay nice & cozy!

• How do you like to stay nice & cozy?
• What is your favorite soup?