Who doesn’t love tomato soup? Well, me, at least not always. In fact, I kind of hated tomatoes until about my mid-20s. Growing up in Montana, we didn’t get alot of fresh fruits or veggies throughout the year like we do here in the SF Bay Area, so you’d think when these babies came around each summer I’d be all over it. Nope. I was a very persnickety eater, and not in the gourmand, “I only eat organic” way.
Fast forward and this is one of my faves, whether in the colder months or now as we’re in the midst of summer. This recipe can be made with fresh tomatoes when in season, or a good quality BPA free organic canned tomato-I like this brand.
Delicious and Dairy Free
What’s great about this recipe beyond the obvs- the yummy sweet and acidic tomato, is that you can achieve that creamy velvety texture sans the dairy by adding some cashews. I always recommend pre-soaking the cashews for better digestion if you can. Why you might ask?? Well, these little guys are pretty smart, as are most nuts, seeds, and grains in general. They have a protective coating containing phytic acid, tannins and enzyme inhibitors which help to detract bugs, birds, etc., from chowing down on them before they have a chance to germinate and grow.
By soaking them for 4-6 hours (or better yet overnight), you’re able to remove or greatly reduce, the phytic acid and tannins which can be bitter tasting (especially walnuts), as well as neutralize the enzyme inhibitors, thereby unleashing the beneficial enzymes and nutrients. Cashews are rich in vitamins B and K, as well as a slew of phytonutrients. If you’ve ever had a gut ache after eating too many nuts without pre-soaking, this could be why.
The cashew and tomato mixture blends into this luxurious texture, with a slightly sweet, earthy note. Top that with the “cheesy” nutritional yeast and basil oil, and wowza! So good..
Hey, here’s the bonus! We’re also sneaking in extra veggies with the spinach, because it’s pureed and well why not?. This is a great trick if struggling to eat enough greens, especially for picky eaters. This too is optional, but I highly recommend it since you are here looking for good healthy food recipes, right?
If you must avoid nuts, no prob. You can achieve a creamy texture with a small slice of bread (I use gluten free). Add with the tomatoes in the cooking process and let soften a tad before to proceed with the blending. Speaking of blending, love my Vitamix
“Nuff said, soup’s on!
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You can find the soup recipe here. Click here for the basil oil recipe.
Bio:
Shauna Gilbert has 25 years of experience working with Corporate clients in developing employee benefit packages. She has a passion for recipe creation, making healthy versions of classic recipes we know and love. Shauna is a 2017 graduate of the Academy of Culinary Nutrition. For more, please visit www.wholebitegoodhealthyfood.com or follow along on Instagram at @whole_bite.