Soup of the evening, beautiful soup!

“Shall we try another figure of the Lobster Quadrille?” the Gryphon went on. “Or would you like the Mock Turtle to sing you another song?”

"Oh, a song, please, if the Mock Turtle would be so kind,” Alice replied, so eagerly that the Gryphon said, in a rather offended tone, “Hm! No accounting for tastes! Sing her 'Turtle Soup,' will you, old fellow?”

The Mock Turtle sighed deeply, and began, in a voice choked with sobs, to sing this:—

“Beautiful Soup, so rich and green,
  Waiting in a hot tureen!
  Who for such dainties would not stoop?
  Soup of the evening, beautiful Soup!
  Soup of the evening, beautiful Soup!
      Beau—ootiful Soo—oop!
      Beau—ootiful Soo—oop!
  Soo—oop of the e—e—evening,
      Beautiful, beautiful Soup!

  “Beautiful Soup! Who cares for fish,
  Game, or any other dish?
  Who would not give all else for two
  Pennyworth only of beautiful Soup?
  Pennyworth only of beautiful Soup?
      Beau—ootiful Soo—oop!
      Beau—ootiful Soo—oop!
  Soo—oop of the e—e—evening,
      Beautiful, beauti—FUL SOUP!”

 -from Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll 

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This soup is not green, nor did I serve it in a tureen. (I don't have one.) But it's most certainly delicious.

Creamy Tomato Soup
(my own invention)

2 28-oz cans Tuttorosso New World Style crushed tomatoes*
1/4 cup butter
1 cup half-and-half or heavy cream
1 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup granulated sugar
plenty of salt (start with 2 teaspoons)
freshly ground pepper to taste
dried basil and oregano to taste

1) In large pot heat crushed tomatoes, butter, half and half, and stock to a low boil-- just until bubbling. Stir occasionally while heating, to prevent burning and encourage the butter to melt.
2) Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
3) Add remaining ingredients. Stir well to dissolve sugar. Taste to make sure that there is enough salt and spices. Let simmer for 10 more minutes and serve.

Note: This makes a lot, so if you're only cooking for two people you will probably want to halve it. Or if not, you'll have lots of nice leftovers; it freezes well, too.

*I usually don't specify brands. In this case, the particular type is actually important, because crushed tomatoes vary wildly from brand to brand. Some are extremely chunky, others rather watery. Tuttorosso New World Style is like a very thick tomato sauce, not perfectly smooth, flecked with basil. Perfect for making into soup. I know there are probably other brands that have a similar texture, but I just don't know about them. :) Anyway, if you use a different type of crushed tomato, and it turns out to be chunky, you should puree it in the blender before using.


Shared at Pennywise Platter, Simple Lives Thursday, and Fight Back Friday.

{image credit: the boastful baker on Flickr}