Baked Tomato & Basil Soup

Basil is a very much underestimated herb, yet one of my favourite because it has such great taste. Not to mention the benefits to your Health.

These include:
• DNA Protection Plus Anti-Bacterial Properties: offering protection against unwanted bacterial growth
• The enzyme-inhibiting effect of eugenol (component of basil's volatile oils) in basil qualifies basil as an "anti-inflammatory" food. Providing important healing benefits along with symptomatic relief for many suffering with inflammatory health problems like rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel conditions.
• Basil is also a good source of magnesium, which promotes cardiovascular health by prompting muscles and blood vessels to relax, thus improving blood flow and lessening the risk of irregular heart rhythms or a spasming of the heart muscle or a blood vessel.
• Due to the high content of Beta Carotene that is then converted to Vitamin A. Beta Carotene being a more powerful antioxidant than when converted to Vitamin A. Basil offers protection from Free radical damage. This being a contributing factor in many conditions such as: asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. The beta-carotene found in basil may help to halt the progression of these conditions while protecting cells from further damage. These nutrients being of necessity also for maintaining cardiac health.

Tomatoes are well known for being a good source of lycopene, the phytochemical responsible for making them red, this also has significant antioxidant properties. The latest research shows that the cooking of tomatoes increases their antioxidant effects.

The antioxidant properties that are found in fruit and vegetables are known to significantly reduce the risk of Chronic Disease.

tomato-basil-soupBaked Tomato & Basil Soup

What you need:
• 5 - 6 Cloves of Garlic remove skin & either crushed or diced
• 1 large brown onion peeled diced
• 1 kg Ripened tomatoes, cut into half
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 - 2 cups of Fresh Basil leaves
• 1/3 cup of tomato paste
• 1 litre of Massel either Chicken or Vegetable Liquid stock
• Warm sour dough bread to serve

What to do:
1.Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan-forced. Line a tray with baking paper. Place tomatoes (skin side down). Spread crushed garlic over tomatoes. Drizzle half the oil over tomatoes. Season with pepper. Bake for 40 minutes. Remove tray from oven, put aside until cooled down.
2.Add remaining oil to a large saucepan. Over a medium heat, add onion stirring for 3 minutes or until golden, slowly stir in tomato paste and stock. Keep stirring until all blended. Allow to come to boil then reduce heat to low. Simmer for a further 15 minutes whilst blending your baked tomatoes.
3.Blend your baked tomatoes, garlic and add basil (save a few leaves for decoration) into the saucepan now. Slowly bring heat back up to boiling, then turn off heat.
4.Serve into soup bowls, adding decorative leaves of basil. For extra flavour you can also add a tablespoon of Greek Plain Yogurt. Serve Sough Dough Bread on the side or have on table for people to help themselves.

Bon!! Appetit!!!

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Empowering You to Optimal Health Julie Doherty N.D