Cream of tomato soup

Amidst the hike in petrol prices now...one thing I found which is really cheap are the tomatoes....Here in Hyderabad ,you get 3 kgs of tomatoes for just 5 rupees!!!So its the time for tomato pickles ,soup,jam and lots more.....here is the recipe for tomato soup in hotel style..

This recipe serves 5 bowls.

Ingredients:

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• Fresh ripe tomatoes - 10 medium sized (any variety,I have used the country ones)
• onion - 1 big
• Garlic pods - 6
• cinnamon - 1 inch piece
• pepper corns - 10
• Fresh pepper powder - 1 tsp( can be added later as per taste)
• salt - to taste
• butter - 1 tsp
• oil - 1 tsp
• turmeric powder - a pinch
• sugar - 2 tsp( add more if the tomatoes are very sour)
• corn flour - 1/2 tsp dissolved in water
• Fresh cream - for garnishing

If you get celery ,you can add it for additional taste.

Bread croutons:

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Chop the bread slices into cubes and roast it in a non stick pan with 1 tsp of ghee/butter.

Method:

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• Wash the tomatoes well and chop them roughly into pieces.Chop the onion too.
• Heat a saucepan ,add butter and oil.
• When its hot add cinnamon,onion, garlic pods,(celery if available) and saute till it turns translucent.
• Add the chopped tomatoes,turmeric powder,pepper corns and saute for few seconds till the raw smell goes off.
• Add little water , 1 tsp of milk and cook covered for 5 to 10 min till the tomatoes get cooked completely.
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• Set aside to cool.After it cools down to room temperature ,strain the excess water and keep aside.
• Add the residue in a blender and make a puree.
• Add the puree with the strained stock in the same saucepan with salt,sugar and pepper powder.
• Adjust water if its too thick.The consistency should be slightly watery.
• Stir and cook till it boils.
• 
  
• Add the corn flour syrup and mix well.Add 2 tsp of fresh cream and switch off in 10 sec.

Serve the yummy soup piping hot .Garnish with bread croutons and a tsp of fresh cream.