Winter Tomato Soup With Bulgur Recipes

BULGUR, SPINACH AND TOMATO CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the bulgur and salt to taste, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 15 to 20 minutes, until the water is absorbed. Remove from the heat, uncover and place a clean dish towel over the pan, then replace the lid. Allow to sit undisturbed for 10 minutes or longer. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Pulse the tomatoes with their juice in a food processor. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat in a large, wide skillet or a shallow 3-quart saucepan and add the garlic. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds, and add the tomatoes, sugar, salt to taste, and allspice or cinnamon. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer until the tomatoes have cooked down to a fragrant sauce, about 20 minutes. Taste, adjust salt and add freshly ground pepper.
• Steam the spinach until it wilts, 1 to 2 minutes, rinse briefly with cold water and squeeze out excess water. Do this by the handful to get out all the water. Chop coarsely. Add to the bulgur. Add the mint and the chickpeas if using, 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce and toss together.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Oil a 2-quart gratin or baking dish. Spread the bulgur mixture in the dish in an even layer. Top with the remaining tomato sauce. Sprinkle on the cheese. Drizzle on the last tablespoon of olive oil. Bake 30 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned. Remove from the heat and allow to sit for 10 minutes before serving.

WINTER TOMATO SOUP

Steps:

• In a saucepan melt butter and add olive oil, onion, thyme, basil and salt and pepper.
• Cook, stirring, until onions wilt.
• Add tomatoes and tomato paste.
• Simmer 20 minutes.
• Blend together 5 T of the chicken broth with the flour.
• Add this to the soup, stir, then add rest of broth.
• Simmer 30 minutes, stirring often to prevent burning.
• Puree soup in blender.
• Return to heat.
• Add sugar and cream.
• Simmer 5 more minutes.