​If you are like me, there are some nights where you just want to hunker down with a hot bowl of tomato soup. Of course you can always just open a can of soup from the store, but it is so much better for you and tastier as well if you make the soup with fresh ingredients and from scratch. 

The delicious recipe I am going to share today may have a lot of ingredients, but it is easy to make and you will love it! It includes fresh herbs, fresh ripe tomatoes, garlic cloves, and other simple ingredients that will give it so much flavor. 

Why you will love this homemade tomato soup more than the store-bought version

Tomato soup in a can is a pantry staple that many people have, but once you have tried this homemade version, you will not go back! Instead of having processed ingredients from the version you buy at the store, this recipe has only fresh ingredients and is made from scratch. I know it may seem daunting, but it is really easy to make. 

The combination of flavors from the herbs, tomatoes, and other ingredients will have you going back for more. You can serve this as an appetizer or a side dish to go along with a tasty grilled cheese sandwich, or you can serve it as a main dish. No matter how you eat it, you will not be disappointed, and I am sure you will agree this is the best tomato soup recipe you have tried. 

What ingredients do you need to make homemade tomato soup?

I mentioned above that this recipe has fresh ingredients. This is important so that you can know what you are putting in your body and so that you get the best flavors possible. 

To make this recipe, start by gathering the following ingredients:

• 2 lbs of ripe, fresh tomatoes (roma tomatoes or other types of tomatoes will work)
• 1 medium onion (red)
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1-2 fresh basil leaves
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp of dried oregano
• 1 tsp of nutmeg
• 1 tbsp of brown sugar
• 1 tsp of balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 cup of white wine
• 1 tbsp of olive oil
• 1/4 stick of butter
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/8 cup heavy cream
• Mozzarella cheese
• Croutons

How do you make this tomato soup recipe?

Now that you have gathered the ingredients, it is time to make the recipe. It is important to wash all of the vegetables and herbs before cooking, so do that first. 

Next, you will chop the tomatoes, onion, and garlic cloves and set them aside separately for a later step. 

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1/2 tbsp of olive oil and butter until the butter just melts. Then add the chopped garlic and onions and let cook until the onions are transparent. 

The next step is to add the tomatoes and to continue cooking for 2-3 minutes before adding the salt, pepper, oregano, nutmeg, bay leaves, and basil. Reduce to medium-low heat and stir well. At this point, add the brown sugar, stir well, and cook for about 2 minutes.

After 2 minutes have passed, add the balsamic vinegar and stir well. You can add additional salt and pepper if it is needed at this point. Add everything from the skillet to a blender and blend until smooth, but thick. You can also use an immersion blender at this stage, but I usually just use a traditional blender. 

In the same skillet, add another 1/2 tbsp of olive oil and heat over medium heat before adding the blended mixture back to the skillet. 

Add the white wine and let cook for 5 minutes.

At this point, the soup is ready, so you can serve it in a bowl topping with a little bit of heavy cream, the cheese, and the croutons. 

​How to use this recipe for pizza or pasta sauce.

This recipe is mainly made for soup, however you can make some slight modifications to it so that you can use it for pizza or pasta! The only modification that you need to make for this recipe is to omit the white wine. This will give it a thicker consistency which is perfect for adding to your favorite homemade pizza recipe. You can also use it as an easy sauce for pasta with meat or without meat. You will find that this adds a great flavor to any of your favorite pasta or pizza recipes, so I definitely recommend it. 

When I use it for that purpose, sometimes I will add some red pepper flakes to add a bit of heat, but only if I am making it for my husband and me, since some of the kids don’t quite like spicy food yet. 

Check out these other soup recipes

• Delicious Creamy Ginger and Carrot Soup Recipe
• Mexican Seafood Soup (Caldo de Camaron)
• Slow Cooker Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup
• Authentic Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup
• Butternut Squash, Sweet Potato, and Bacon Soup
• Copycat Kneaders Cheddar and Jalapeno Soup
• Mexican Pozole Recipe

This homemade tomato soup recipe is a hit around our house and is a great way to incorporate healthy ingredients into your diet. The kids love it also, especially when you serve it with tasty cheese sandwiches. I always make a large pot of this when we have it, and there is almost nothing left every time. 

It has a mild, but delicious tomato flavor and  is great for any time of year.

Let me know in the comments below how it turns out!

Print

Fresh Homemade Tomato Soup Recipe

Check out this delicious, flavorful, and easy to make tomato soup recipe which is an easy option for an appetizer or a meal on its own. 

 

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Italian

Keyword fresh, soup, tomato soup

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 8 1/2 cup servings

Calories 116kcal

Author Charbel Barker

Ingredients

• 2 lbs ripe tomatoes
• 1 red onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1-2 basil leaves
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 stick butter
• salt to taste
• pepper to taste

Accompaniments

• 1/8 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup croutons

Instructions

• Chop the tomatoes, onion, and garlic cloves and set them aside separately for a later step. 
  2 lbs ripe tomatoes, 1 red onion, 3 garlic cloves
• Heat large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1/2 tbsp of olive oil and butter until the butter just melts. Then add the chopped garlic and onions and let cook until the onions are transparent. 
  1/4 stick butter, 1 tbsp olive oil
• The next step is to add the tomatoes and to continue cooking for 2-3 minutes before adding the salt, pepper, oregano, nutmeg, bay leaves, and basil. Reduce to medium-low heat and stir well. At this point, add the brown sugar, stir well, and cook for about 2 minutes.
  1-2 basil leaves, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp ground nutmeg, 1 tbsp brown sugar, salt , pepper
• After 2 minutes have passed, add the balsamic vinegar and stir well. You can add additional salt and pepper if it is needed at this point. Add everything from the skillet to a blender and blend until smooth, but thick. You can also use an immersion blender at this stage, but I usually just use a traditional blender. 
  1 tsp balsamic vinegar
• In the same skillet, add another 1/2 tbsp of olive oil and heat over medium heat before adding the blended mixture back to the skillet. 
  1 tbsp olive oil
• Add the white wine and let cook for 5 minutes.
  1/2 cup white wine
• Serve with cream, mozzarella cheese, and croutons
  1/8 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup croutons, 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese

Nutrition

Serving: 11/2 cup serving | Calories: 116kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 60mg | Potassium: 319mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1120IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1mg

The post The Most Flavorful And Fresh Tomato Soup Recipe appeared first on My Latina Table.

This Passion Fruit Mocktail Recipe is a perfect option for people that don’t drink alcohol, and will be a hit at your BBQ this Spring. 

Every year around this time, as we begin to dig out from under the snow, I get excited for Spring and all of the fun recipes that come along with it. We love grilling outside, and every good BBQ has to have good drinks as well. Personally, we do not drink alcohol. That said, we can still enjoy some delicious “mocktails” from time to time. 

In order to have a good mocktail, you have to have a good base drink. I recently discovered Welch’s Refrigerated Cocktails, and they are a perfect option! They have multiple varieties, like Passion Fruit and Dragon Fruit Mango. They have a great taste and are so refreshing on their own. Adding a few extra ingredients, though, makes them even better!

For this Passion Fruit Mocktail recipe, I used the Passion Fruit flavor of Welch’s Refrigerated Cocktails. To it, I added some lime juice, lemon-lime soda, and a few fresh blueberries. It only took me a couple of minutes to mix it together, and it was so tasty! 

I picked this up at my local grocery store, but you can find out where they sell it near you by clicking here. Although I used the Passion Fruit flavor, the possibilities are virtually endless. The basic recipe for the mocktail is fruit juice, a carbonated beverage, and fresh fruit. 

My husband wasn’t sure if he would like it, but even he was asking for more after taking one sip. Since we are just now starting to get to the time of year where we can enjoy spending time outside, I am sure that we will be making this again soon. 

Have you ever made a mocktail? What are your favorite combinations? Let me know in the comments below! Also, if you love trying new beverages, check out this recipe for authentic Mexican horchata. 

Print

Passion Fruit “Mocktail” Recipe

This Passion Fruit Mocktail Recipe is a perfect option for people that don't drink alcohol, and will be a hit at your BBQ this Spring. 

Author Charbel Barker

Ingredients

• 1/2 of the cup you are using of Welch's Refrigerated Cocktails - Passion Fruit variety.
• 1/2 of the cup you are using lemon-lime soda
• Juice from one key-lime
• 5-6 blueberries.

Instructions

• Combine the Welch's Refrigerated Cocktails with the lemon-lime soda and mix well.
• Add the lime juice and mix.
• Add the blueberries and serve cold with ice.

The post Passion Fruit “Mocktail” Recipe appeared first on My Latina Table.

Para Español, Haz Click Aqui.

This chicken gyros recipe is fresh, delicious, and easy to make. I have to say that gyros have quickly become one of my favorite Greek foods. They are easy for my husband to take to work and to eat for lunch any time.

One of the great blessings of living in the United States is the diversity all around us – specifically the diversity in language, culture, and food! I have even tried food from my home country (Mexico) that I never even tried when I was living there. Of course I have also enjoyed learning about new foods from other places as well.

For example, a few weeks ago I want to a meeting with some other bloggers at an Indian restaurant, and the food was delicious – it was even a little bit similar to Mexican food in that they use a lot of spices and chilies. I have also had the privilege to try lots of Greek food, and I have to say, along with this delicious Greek salad, these chicken gyros are now one of my favorites!

The best comparison between these chicken gyros and Mexican food is to say that they are like Greek-style tacos or burritos. They are filled with meat, onion, lettuce, tomato, and served with a yogurt and cucumber sauce called Tzatziki. I will show you how to make that in this recipe too.

Tzatziki provides a fresh and amazing flavor for the chicken and it is made by combining chopped up cucumber with Greek yogurt, red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, and fresh dill. I like to add a little bit of lemon and pepper as well before letting it chill in the refrigerator while I am marinating the chicken.

Without a doubt this will be one of your favorite recipes, especially with so many warm days coming up.

Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Like this recipe? Then  you will love these recipes too!

• Tropical Cilantro Lime Shrimp and Avocado Salad
• Shrimp Ceviche
• Southwest Chipotle Chicken Salad
• Delicious Chicken Salad Recipe
• Greek Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
• Citrus and Honey Fruit Salad

Print

Chicken Gyro with Tzatziki Sauce

Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki sauce is becoming one of my go-to meals for the weekend. Try it out and you will see why!

Author Charbel Barker

Ingredients

For the Chicken Marinade

• 2 Chicken Breasts cut into long slices
• 4 T of plain Greek yogurt
• Red onion finely chopped
• Juice from 1 Lemon
• 2 Cloves of Garlic finely chopped
• One stick of fresh dill finely chopped
• Salt and Pepper to taste

For the Tzatziki Sauce

• 1 cup greek yogurt
• 2 Cucumbers chopped
• 1 Clove of garlic finely chopped
• 1 stick of Dill finely chopped
• Juice from two lemons
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Accompaniments

• Chopped Lettuce
• Chopped red onions
• Chopped Cherry Tomatoes
• Feta Cheese
• Flat Bread Naan, or Pita Bread

Instructions

To Marinate the Chicken

• Combine all of the ingredients and put them in a resealable bag with the chicken.
• Let marinate for about an hour.
• Once marinated, grill in a frying pan or grill until cooked through and set aside.

For the Tzatziki Sauce

• Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.

To make the Gyro

• Add the Tzatziki sauce to the previously heated flat bread, then add the chicken, followed by the rest of the accompaniments.

The post Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce appeared first on My Latina Table.

Pork Back Ribs with Spicy Nopales Salsa is a recipe that you can make for a crowd and is perfect for holiday gatherings. 

Pork Back Ribs with Spicy Nopales Salsa has everything that a good rib recipe should. It uses Smithfield Fresh Pork Back Ribs, combined with lots of delicious seasoning and an amazing salsa made with Jalapeños and Nopales that will have your guests begging for more.

I have always loved trying to rib recipes. Pork back ribs is one of my favorite cuts of meat and there are so many amazing recipes that you can make with it. I love grilling them and backing them, and combining them with sauces that can be sweet or spicy (or sometimes both). Today’s recipe is more of the spicy variety, but don’t worry, they aren’t so spicy that you can’t enjoy them. There is a perfect balance of heat so that you can keep eating more and more.

I always love to include ingredients that I grew up eating in Mexico. For example, in this recipe I use delicious nopales and spicy jalapeños to create a delicious salsa for these delicious Smithfield Fresh Pork back ribs.

I have mentioned this in previous posts, but Smithfield Fresh Pork is my go-to brand for high quality, fresh cuts of pork. When I use Smithfield Fresh Pork, I can concentrate more on the other flavors, because I have confidence that the pork is fresh and delicious.

For this recipe, you will want to cut the pork back ribs into individual pieces before frying them. After that, you will create a delicious chipotle-nopales salsa to serve over the ribs. I made these for a picnic that we were planning last week, and after the first bite my husband was asking for more.

The flavor on these pork back ribs is out of this world and it is convenient to have them in nice individual pieces so that you don’t have to worry about cutting them up after they are cooked.

Check out the recipe below and let me know how they turn out. Also, don’t forget to check out saborsmithfield.com for even more delicious recipes using Smithfield Fresh Pork.

Print

Pork Back Ribs with Spicy Nopales Salsa

Pork Back Ribs with Spicy Nopales Salsa is a recipe that you can make for a crowd and is perfect for holiday gatherings. 

Author Charbel Barker

Ingredients

• 1 Rack of Smithfield Fresh Pork Back Ribs cut into individual pieces
• 1 Jar of Nopales From the Hispanic Section - drained
• 3 Tomatoes diced
• 1/2 Onion diced
• 1/2 Bunch of Cilantro chopped
• 2 Jalapenos diced
• 2 garlic cloves chopped
• 1 Cup of Tomato Sauce
• 1 Tablespoon of garlic powder
• 1 Tablespoon of Oregano
• 1/2 Tablespoon of Cumin
• 1/2 Tablespoon of Paprika
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• Oil for frying

Instructions

• Fry the individual rib pieces in oil until cooked through
• Combine the tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, and cilantro with a small amount of oil and stir well.
• Add the nopales and stir.
• Add the ribs and let simmer for a couple of minutes.
• Add the tomato sauce and stir.
• Combine the seasonings and add to the pan, and stir well.
• Let simmer for about 10 minutes over medium heat.

The post Pork Back Ribs with Spicy Nopales Salsa appeared first on My Latina Table.

I am so excited to share one of my favorite recipes of all time! It is creamy, fresh, and delicious. So, if you are an avocado fan, this recipe is especially for you. Don’t miss out!

Like I mentioned in my homemade guacamole recipe, avocado is one of my all-time favorite ingredients, and that definitely has something to do with the fact that I grew up in a place that had tons of avocado trees. As a result, I am always looking for ways to incorporate avocado into my daily meals and this recipe is definitely a favorite. The addition of fresh basil gives it a touch of freshness that makes this perfect for these sunny days.

To make this dish even more irresistible, I added a delicious chicken sausage that I found at the store, and it complemented the pasta perfectly. My whole family loved it and my boys even were willing to eat some veggies like this corn!

The avocado pasta sauce has a slightly thick consistency, which makes it creamy. It is important to make this dish right about the time that you are ready to eat it so that the avocado is perfectly fresh. I like to add some fresh salt and pepper to the vegetables that go along with this meal, but that is up to you and your tastes, so feel free to make any changes that you would like.

I hope you enjoyed this, and don’t forget to tell me how you liked it in the comments.

Print

Creamy Avocado Alfredo

Author Charbel Barker

Ingredients

• 3 Large Avocados
• 1 Package of spaghetti
• Juice from 2 limes
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Fresh basil
• Salt Pepper, Oregano, and Cumin to taste.
• Olive Oil

Accompaniments

• Chicken sausage cut into slices
• Cherry tomatoes cut in half and lightly cooked in olive oil
• Corn
• Green Beans

Instructions

• Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions
• Cook the sausage according to package instructions, cut into slices, and set aside
• Blend the avocado, the lime juice, the basil, the garlic cloves, the salt, pepper, oregano, and cumin, with a small amount of olive oil.
• Combine the mixture with the cooked spaghetti, and heat together.
• Serve with the sausage, tomatoes, green beans, and corn.

The post Creamy Avocado-Basil Pasta appeared first on My Latina Table.