Tomato Soup with Vodka

My Mother would often say that if something was good for you to eat then "it would put hairs on your chest". As a female, this was not a particularly encouraging thing. But I realised that was just what my grandmother would have said to her own children - a family of 5 boys and 2 girls, so it was probably more appropriate! And I knew by the saying that whatever was being served was hearty and warming and usually delicious.

So, this soup will "put hairs on your chest"! But not literally. Full of flavour, even with winter tomatoes; and  the slug of vodka will warm you down to your toes. Great for sharing with friends on a cold winter's night or as a treat for yourself while reading a book by the fire. Either way you will want more than one bowl - but be careful because it is addictive!

This is an easy recipe, quick to make and you can make it without the Vodka. But why would you!

Tomato Soup with Vodka

Ingredients

1kg ripe tomatoes

4 cloves garlic

3 cups vegetable stock
2tbls tomato paste

3 tbls olive oil
1 tbls horseradish sauce/cream
2 tbls Worcestershire sauce
3 tbls Vodka
pinch salt
black pepper to taste
3 sprigs thyme and rosemary

• Heat oven to 160c fan forced.
• Take a large baking tray and line with baking paper. 
• Cut tomatoes in half, spread in one layer in baking tray. Add 3 cloves of garlic and sprinkle with olive oil. Add crushed thyme and rosemary and bake tomatoes for 40 minutes until they are soft and nicely browned on the top.
• Place the garlic, tomatoes, vegetable stock, horseradish cream, worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, salt and pepper in a blender or blitz together with a hand held blender.
• Place combined tomatoes in a saucepan and heat gently, just before serving add the vodka.
• Serve with Worcestershire Sauce and Tabasco Sauce on the side.

Serves 4