Hurricane Sandy sure made a mess out of New Jersey, New York and a few other spots, didn’t she? What a horrible mess. People out of work, no electricity, it’s getting cold, REALLY REALLY COLD, and many have nothing at all. For those of us sitting in warm houses, we should share a bit of what we’ve got for those who have little or nothing. You don’t have to do much if we all pitch in with ten bucks. We won’t notice the tenner gone but the people we’ll all be helping will certainly see an improvement in their circumstances.
Barbara Kniebel of Creative Culinary and Jenn from JennCuisine have gotten together to encourage bloggers and eaters of all sorts to pull together to help those ravaged by the storm. We’re all making heartwarming meals and posting a link to the Red Cross Sandy Appeal.
It’s not winter where I live but I am from the Northeast of the US so I’m eager to take part in this initiative to bring relief as well as to let those victims of the storm know that people all over the world care. We can’t imagine what you’re going through just getting through one day after another, but I want to share my soup with you.
This is really good warm and comforting but I served it cold because well, uhh.. it’s hot as can be here today. It’s cream of tomato soup and it’s something I can whip up in just a few minutes. Okay so it’s not an orgasmic recipe but people who are suffering need a cuddle in a bowl and this soup serves it up nicely. I picked the basil from the pots so I could put a little chiffonade on the top of the soup and thought I’d share what it was like here today. No complaints.
- 4 tbs butter
- ½ cup chopped French shallots (the bulb ones) or you could use onion and a clove of garlic
- 2 regular sized cans chopped tomatoes - fresh or canned (I used canned because home grown aren't in yet)
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 chicken or vegetable stock cubes
- ¼ to ½ cup cream (depending upon how creamy you like it)
- 5 torn basil leaves (or a chiffonade on top)
- Melt the butter in a soup pot and add the onions and saute until translucent but not brown (a pinch of salt helps)
- Add the baking soda to the tomatoes and stir (will be fizzy) and then add to the pot.
- Add the sugar, salt and stock cubes and cook for about 10 minutes until everything comes together and tastes good.
- Add cream and bring to nearly the simmering point, you don't want to boil the soup.
- Add the torn basil leaves and taste for seasoning and adjust.
- Serve hot or cold
If you’ve got some sourdough bread, slice it thinly, toast it and crumble goat’s cheese on top and serve with the soup. I hope you agree that it’s a perfect accompaniment to the soup.
Please donate to the Red Cross appeal to help Hurricane Sandy victims. You’ll feel better for it. I do.
What a thoughtful post. This soup would be perfect for dunking a good grilled cheese sandwich! Perfect comfort food.
I love tomato soup, this is perfect for Sandy!
The devastation from Sandy is unbelievable! I’m sure the victims would love a bowl of this soup.
A cuddle in a bowl sounds like the perfect meal for someone who’s been through a disaster. Lovely soup Maureen!
Good soup for good cause.
That’s a great idea, Maureen. I have a lot of friends who have been horribly affected and many of them still cannot move back into their apartments because although the apartment is okay, there’s still no power to the building and no running water. It’s okay if you’ve got money because you can move into a hotel but for those without the means, it’s very difficult. Great comfort soup! xx
It’s always good to think of those who are doing it tough. The U.S. has certainly had its fair share of natural disasters lately 🙁
Thanks for the link and recipe. I think I will be making this soon.
Creamy tomato soup is one of my favorites! I make it a couple times a week in the fall and winter, mostly for lunch or a quick and easy dinner. Great presentation!
Nothing beats a nice bowl of homemade tomato soup. Except, if you make a grilled cheese to go with it!
I’m sure anyone would appreciate a bowl of this wonderful soup. I feel so bad for anyone affected by Sandy. This is a great idea.
-Gina-
What a sweet post Maureen. We’ve been through hurricanes here in North Carolina and it’s devastating. The effects go on and on and you are reminded everywhere you go. It seems that others (in other parts of the country and world) forget quickly but it takes a very long time to get back to normal.
Your soup looks delicious and it’s wonderful that if can be served hot or cold! To me there’s nothing better than a bowl of tomato basil soup!
Such a nice thing to do! Sandy really caused problems for so many people. You’ve lived in Florida so you well know how destructive hurricanes can be. Anyway, great soup. Usually I’d have mine hot, but it’s supposed to be 70 degrees F here today! Maybe I’ll have it chilled, too. 😉 Thanks for this.
Irresistible!
This soup sounds like a perfect bowl of comfort food – thanks so much for participating to spread the word on how to donate to hurricane relief efforts.
Hi Jenn, thanks heaps for stopping by and I hope millions of people donate at least $10 to the relief fund. It’s the least we can do.
What a lovely sentiment, Maureen. Sandy sure hit the north east hard, and there are other storms following. I have a feeling it will not be an easy winter.
This is a lovely soup, and I love that you can serve it hot and cold (wow, wouldn’t it be cool to serve it at the same time, hot and cold?). Just wondering why substituting a shallot with an onion you would add a clove of garlic.
Now I’m going to check out your macaron recipe…looks amazing!
I grew up in Maine, Eva, I know how tough winters can be in the Northeast and with no home and no heat and no food. I can only imagine how tough some people are doing it.
Beautiful and healthy. I have always loved tomato soup. Just had some in the shop yesterday. Time that I cook myself! Thanks very much for sharing.
Hi Mary, it does have some cream in it and some butter but I’m happy to stick with healthy 🙂
Yes, Sandy hit really hard so-so many people. I am sure everyone of them would love to have a cup of your warm soup made from your heart. Thanks Maureen!
Comfort in a bowl, this sounds good! It’s definitely soup time of the year here so I look forward to trying this.
We’re into chilled soup time down here but any soup is good if you ask me.
What a wonderful way to support and with this delicious tomato soup! All of us in my family are big tomato fan, and this sounds like a wonderful soup in a cold day!
I just started to like cream soups. I used to totally hate them. This one looks great thought to try next though!
Wow. Sorry for the awful grammar. This one looks great to try next *
Great recipe and great cause!
One day I’ll actually give a tomato soup from scratch a try. A bowl of a nice warming soup like this would be a godsend for those who lost their homes and loved ones to Sandy.
this soup looks so good and wow love the view of the boats
Butter and shallots and you know it’s going to be good! I love what you’re doing here AND it’s delicious!!!
What a delicious soup for a wonderful cause. So sad to hear of the devastation.
Would you believe there are people still without electricity, then along came winter storm Athena, a nor’easter, bringing cold and dumping snow, adding insult to injury. Wonder what winter is really going to be like????? Warm soup for cold days, very timely.
How thoughtful! I love cream of tomato soup. In fact, I really like tomato-based dishes! This is really perfect for Sandy. And thanks for sharing your recipe, I am definitely bookmarking this as I am a not so-talented cook.
Great initiative!! Cold can kill lives, so this is pretty important.
I d make your soup cold as well, except if the weather is finally changing to the better here. =)
hot and sunny and it’s cold soup again today
Ohhh this tomato soup looks delicious too! I like trying different ways to make it. Can’t wait to try.
Lovely to meet you, Julia! Thanks so much for stopping by so we can swap tomato soup. 🙂
This looks perfect. I’m so glad that everyone in the blogging community is getting into the spirit of helping. Great post.
It’s so inspiring to see everyone get together for a good cause in the blogging community!
This tomato soup looks perfect. It’s a serious staple in my lunch diet. Easy to spice up with a great grilled sandwich and always comforting.
Delicious looking soup, Maureen, and even better that it was made for such a good cause. I’m freezing in my office right now. This would be just the thing to warm me up! 🙂
Beautiful tomato soup! I’d love this with a grilled cheese.
A bowl of hot tomato soup can help me forget all the chaos around. Almost all of my friends on the east lost power, but the worst is over and they were all safe. so many people re still waiting for normacy and help.
Oh my gosh – this sounds delish! I love tomato soup. This plus a grilled cheese on good bread = heaven. yum
Such a comforting bowl of soup and a call to help those affected by Sandy — so simple yet a small help makes a ton of difference in the victims life.
“Okay it might not BE Australian but I made the soup here so nuff said.”
LOL, you crack me up Maureen :D. I love a good cream of tomato soup… it’s one of my absolute favourites. An excellent soup in the name of an excellent cause!
This is one of my favorite soups, it truly is a perfect comfort food! I love the use of fresh basil, it would make the soup so wonderful! Gorgeous, Hugs, Terra
Wow nothing is better to me on a rainy day than tomato soup! I always add basil, makes it so much better 🙂
Tomatoes and basil are definitely best friends. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Elizabeth!
This is such a heartwarming soup and a kind gesture for you to help out. As one who lived through Sandy here in NJ, it is comforting when folks like you reach out to touch our hearts. Thanks for the recipe. I was searching for a good tomato soup and I just found it here. Happy weekend!
I hope your soup comes out good. I loved this when I made it. 🙂