Garden Tomato Soup

 I had an excess of tomatoes this evening, and wanted something to warm me to the bone. Grilled cheese and tomato soup? Yep! I used to hate tomato soup, but that was before I found out that it doesn't have to be the sweet, yucky stuff that comes in a can. As much as I love tomatoes, I am so glad to find out that maybe I do like tomato soup, after all.

 I made this recipe on the fly, so don't feel like you have to follow it to a T(easpoon). I never follow recipes as is, anyway...so neither should you.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/8 cup butter
• 1/8 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 6-7 cups roughly chopped tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, rosemary, oregano mix (Italian seasoning is good if you don't have fresh)
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 teaspoon sugar (to round out the flavor, its pretty acidic otherwise)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Add olive oil to a large stock pot over medium heat, add onion and garlic and cook until translucent and soft, about 7 minutes.
2. Add butter and melt. Whisk in flour until onions and garlic are well coated. Continue cooking for 1 minute.
3. Whisk in broth. Add tomatoes, vinegar, herbs, salt and pepper.
4. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until tomatoes have cooked down.
5. Remove from heat.
6. If you like a smooth tomato soup, blend the soup with an immersion blender. I prefer chunky soups, and this one is perfect without having to blend it.

Grocery Shopping Gripe

When I moved from a large town to the very large city of Oklahoma City, I had to find a new grocery store. Living in north west OKC for 5 years was awesome. I lived in the Asian district with amazing food culture surrounding me in all directions. There were two great Asian markets, two small Mediterranean markets, and a mix of typical North American foods mixed into the general grocery stores. All within one mile from me. Being vegetarian, and 90 percent lactose intolerant (I can tolerate hard cheeses), I can only eat certain varieties of foods. With these particulars, north OKC was very easy for me to grocery shop.

Then I moved. Although I am happy(ish) with the grocery stores in south OKC, they leave a lot to be desired. There are no groceries within walking distance, which really upsets me. There are mainly Hispanic markets here and only one Asian market that is several miles from me. Alan and I have one grocery store here that we frequent that is quite large. I've been very happy with the prices and the quality of the produce, but there are several foods that are not sold since the store caters to a different cultural audience.

• Mushrooms
• Texas toast (although I don't eat bleached bread often, its really the only way to go for faux BLTs)
• Bread flour
• Soy products of any variety (soymilk, soy cheeses, etc.)
• Fake meat products, ie: Morningstar, Boca Burgers, etc
• Romaine lettuce (Alan loathes Iceburg lettuce)
• Newman's Own Spaghetti Sauces... these are so delicious and contain real ingredients!!
• Fresh herbs. They only have Cilantro.
• Pickled beets 
• Eggplant
• Asparagus
• Sour Kraut
• Balsamic Vinegar

Things they sell that aren't sold in my old grocery store:

• Every type of pepper and chili ever grown
• The best vanilla extract ever made
• Amazing varieties of tortillas, locally made
• Pan (crazy delicious sweet breads!)
• Mexican chocolate
• Nopalitos (Pickled cactus)
• Vegan refried beans

Where Have I Been?

It has been an awful long time since I posted, but life has been busy.
To answer any questions, I did, indeed, find a new job. That I love. I work at a company that allows me to go mentor students and/or rock babies during my work day, hosts exercise classes during my lunch break (that I am really loving!), gives me amazing health insurance...and even pays me to make sure I am going to the doctor for yearly exams and losing weight. They pay me to work out! How fantastic.
I am really loving the job.

Now that I can get home at fairly normal hours without being mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted, I have been thinking up stuff that I've been wanting to do more of.

My list that I've worked up, and accomplished some of:
Pack my lunch. - I love doing this. I really do.
Use new ingredients. - Lately I've been using different rices, quinoa, oats, and wheat berries.
Travel more. - Have a trip to New Mexico planned SOON!
Sew more. - I absolutely love sewing. It's been so fun to get back into it.
Start work on my cookbook. - This is my only one that I haven't done...yet. I am waiting until the winter for this one. I plan on this being the main source of heat for our home this winter, rather than the furnace. We'll see if it gets us into December.

I have also been searching the internet for new ideas. I am constantly looking for new recipes, new fashions, new home decor ideas, new crafts to make.

What websites do you frequent mostly?

Here's some of mine:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
http://peasandthankyou.com/
http://www.designsponge.com/
http://www.desiretoinspire.net/