Indian Spiced Tomato Soup With Cheesy Naan Recipes

NAAN

Steps:

• Combine the yeast and sugar with 1/4 cup warm water in a small bowl and mix well. Set aside until it begins to froth, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile combine 2 1/2 cups of the flour with the salt in a large mixing bowl and mix well. Make a well in the center and add the yeast-mixture, yogurt, ghee or butter, warm milk and lemon juice, if using. Mix well with your fingers until it forms a sticky or shaggy dough. Add more flour if too shaggy or a little water if too dry.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Place in a larger lightly-oiled bowl, tightly cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a draft-free place, such as an unlit oven, until doubled in size, 1 to 2 hours.
• If using a pizza stone/steel: An hour before baking, put a pizza stone or steel on the lowest oven rack and preheat to 500 to 550 degrees F. If using a cast-iron skillet/griddle, just before baking, heat the skillet or griddle on the stove over high heat until very hot, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Put some melted ghee or butter in a small bowl. Add the remaining flour to another bowl.
• Divide the dough into 8 balls. Dab each ball in flour, flatten on a lightly floured surface and stretch or roll into an oval shape, thinner in the center and slightly thicker on the sides. Don't worry too much about the shape; I love making various countries when I make my naan! Dust off any extra flour. Brush some ghee or butter on the top of each and sprinkle with nigella seeds if using (add a little more than you want as you will lose a bunch while charring).
• Transfer the stretched naan onto the hot stone or skillet. Cook until you see some bubbles on top, 2 to 3 minutes. Take it out with tongs and flash-cook over an open flame, turning it so that it gets a few brown charred spots on both sides. Spread with a generous pat of butter/ghee and serve hot. Repeat with the remaining naan.

INDIAN SPICED TOMATO SOUP WITH CHEESY NAAN

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Heat 4 tablespoons butter in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until browned, about 4 minutes. Add the cilantro stems, 1 tablespoon garlic, the ginger and coriander. Cook, stirring, until the coriander seeds begin to pop, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Stir in the tomato paste and cook until brick red, about 30 seconds. Stir in the chopped tomatoes and cook, stirring, until juicy, about 2 minutes.
• Add 3 cups water, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper to the pot. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes are soft, about 15 minutes. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon garam masala. Working in batches, transfer the mixture to a blender and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
• Combine the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, 1 teaspoon garlic and 1/4 teaspoon garam masala in a small microwave-safe bowl; microwave until melted, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Place the naan on a baking sheet; brush with the butter and broil until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle with the cheese and continue broiling until melted, 30 more seconds. Fold each piece of naan, then cut each in half.
• Divide the soup among bowls and top with the cilantro leaves. Serve with the naan.

CHEESY TOMATO SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• For the soup: Heat the butter and olive oil in a braiser or shallow Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the garlic, onion, thyme and oregano. Season with a few pinches of salt and pepper. Cook until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Increase the heat to medium high and add the tomato paste. Stir and cook for 30 seconds. Add the wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze. Pour in the tomato juice, stewed tomatoes and sugar. Bring it to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer gently for 10 minutes.
• For the croutons: Meanwhile, drizzle both sides of each baguette slice with 1/2 tablespoon of the olive oil and arrange them on a baking sheet. Bake until slightly toasted, 6 to 8 minutes. Set aside.
• Add the heavy cream, Parmesan, pecorino and basil to the soup. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
• To serve, preheat the broiler. Ladle the soup into 6 ovenproof bowls and put on a baking sheet. Place 2 croutons onto each bowl and top with a piece of the Cheddar. Broil the soups just long enough for the cheese to get bubbly and slightly toasted. Serve each bowl with a sprinkle of parsley.

INDIAN SPICED CHICKPEA AND FIRE ROASTED TOMATO SOUP

Steps:

• Heat a medium pot with extra-virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 2 to 3 minutes. Grind the chickpeas and onion in food processor. Add to pot and cook 5 minutes to sweeten onion. Season the chickpeas with cumin, cardamom, turmeric, salt and pepper. Stir in stock, then tomatoes. Simmer soup 5 to 10 minutes to combine flavors. Serve with a dollop of yogurt and warm pita for dipping.

INDIAN-SPICED BEAN-AND-TOMATO SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oil in a 4-quart pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and golden, about 8 minutes. Add ginger, chopped chiles, and spices; cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in tomatoes and their juice, beans and their liquid, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until thickened slightly, about 10 minutes.
• Coarsely mash a third of the beans in pot using a potato masher or an immersion blender; stir to blend into soup.
• Top with yogurt, cilantro sprigs, and sliced chiles, and serve with pita chips.