Tomato Soup

As I get older, I am finding I like soup more and more and I am a little obsessed with this tomato soup.  That may not seem unusual except I hated tomato soup until I tried this one.

I realized I like each individual ingredient and so I thought I might like them all together as well.  I felt like an outsider all those years watching everyone enjoying their tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. But no more - I am now part of the club cause I like it too.

What's great about it is it doesn't require a special trip to the store because I usually have all the ingredients in my house. Lately it has been my go to meal for those nights I want an easy dinner idea. Although it needs to sit on the stove for about 40 minutes, it doesn't require a lot of attention.

I have dressed it up with diced avocado, and even topped it with grilled cheese croutons, but it tastes good enough in a bowl all by itself.

Tomato Soup

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

3 cloves minced garlic

4 cups vegetable broth

1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes

1/2 cup orzo (uncooked)

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon salt (I substitute Basil Salt)

1 teaspoon pepper

In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.  Add onions and cook over medium low heat until lightly brown, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, salt and pepper and bring to a boil.  Once boiling, lower heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

In a separate pot cook orzo in boiling water for 7 minutes.  It will finish cooking once added to the soup.  Drain the orzo and add it to the soup. Stir in heavy crew and simmer for 10 more minutes, stirring occasionally.

Adapted from Food Network recipe.

Brita Fill & Go

My car is like my home away from home.  I like to have every thing I may need in it, just in case,  like an extra jacket, umbrella, dental floss, lotion, extra pair of glasses, lip balm and of course a bottle of water.  I live in Florida and it's hot almost all the time.  I drink a lot of water and never like to be without it.  I feel so wasteful when I find myself having to shell out cash for an overpriced and environmentally unfriendly bottle of water at a store. 

 I have been using my Sigg bottles to carry water from home, but once it's gone that's it.  I can't refill it while I'm out because I don't trust water from just anywhere. That is why I am loving my new Fill & Go water bottle from Brita. 

 This bottle has a filter in it so I can refill with any tap water and still have the safety and improved taste of filtered water without the cost of buying a bottle of water or lugging around multiple reusable bottles from home.  

The filter is replaceable and fits in the flip top cap.  I just unscrew the lid, refill it and all the water I drink is filtered before it gets to my lips.  This bottle comes with 4 filter discs. Each disk should be replaced after drinking 20 liters.  The bottle is BPA free and can go in the dishwasher for cleaning.

Because I can refill it from any sink, I have been taking mine with me to work and around town.  It is slim enough to fit in the cup holder of my car and big enough to hold about 20 ounces of water.

A bonus for me is the durability, I have already dropped it onto the street and it survived without damage.  I am always looking for the latest and greatest water bottle and I love this one.  The only downside may be the cost of replacement filters.  We'll have to see how that goes.

I did receive a sample bottle to try, but the opinions about this product are all mine.