Monday, February 10, 2014

FEVER SOUP

Red onion soup made with brodo [stock] is an old Italian cure for colds and flu and when I was feeling poorly last week I knew that onion soup was just what I needed. I didn't have any red onions and lacked the energy to go and get some but I did have some white ones. I also wasn't really in a brodo frame of mind, so I decided to concoct my own onion soup using passata. [I like the rustica type that is a bit thicker]. Here's what I did:

For 1 - 2 people thinly slice 6 medium white onions and chop 2 cloves garlic, then soften them very slowly, in a heavy pan, in 55 gr butter and 1 tablesp olive oil.  This will take about 15 mins.

Now, what's this lovely stuff?


It's coarse seasalt flavoured with lemon zest and mint and I found it in Catania at Christmas. I've been dying to use it so in some went!  You can of course just add normal seasalt, some grated lemon zest and chopped herbs of your choice. Add a good grinding of mixed peppercorns, too.

Now add 680 gr passata or homemade tomato sauce. Simmer, stirring, for about 20 mins.

To serve the soup you can put buttered toast in the bottom of the bowl if you like, but I just added some small squares of ordinary bread as it reminds me of the soups I ate as a child. Don't we all need to think of being cossetted when we're unwell?

I felt heaps better the next day. It could have been the medication the doctor gave me but I'm convinced it was the soup!


10 comments:

Lee said...

I'm glad to hear that you're feeling better, Pat...whether it was the soup or the medication, or a combination of the two.

The soup sounds delicious. It's still not hot soup weather here, although today is a bit like a pea-souper! :)

Take good care.

Claude said...

So glad you're doing better. That soup does look miraculous and very nourishing. Here, we attribute healing powers to Chicken Noodle Soup. I guess a good homemade soup, no matter what it contains, can revive and sustain a tired, ailing body. Take care, Pat. I hope you're fully recovered soon.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Thanks, Lee. You take care, too.
Thanks, Claude. I agree with you about a good, homemade soup. I'm fine now, thanks.

Unknown said...

I need some of that soup to get me through the week!

Saucy Siciliana said...

I'm glad you're feeling better Pat. This is the season for colds and influenza. That soup is fantastic...you're very creative. A nice variation on the classic chicken soup for colds. After all, tomatoes have lots of Vit. C. Take care! Hugs, Francesca

Whispering Walls said...

Hope you're feeling better WL

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Thank you, Francesca. I'm sure you're right about the vit C! Hugs to you, too. Yes, much better now, thanks, WW.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Ladling some down the line, Nick! x

Trubes said...

Mmm! that looks and sounds delicious, must try it, hope you've recovered now...Di..xx

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Thanks, Di. Yes, I'm fine now, thanks. x

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