Ingredients:
175 gm pancetta, diced small
1 large onion, diced small
100 gm bread, cut thickly and cubed
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
2 tablespoons dry white wine
1 x 400 gm tin diced tomatoes
3 and 1/2 cups stock
pinch sugar
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
Pepper to taste
Salt, only if required
Method:
Heat a thick based saucepan for a couple
of minutes until it is hot. Reduce heat to medium.
Add pancetta and cook for 5 minutes stirring continuously.
Add onion and cook for about
5 minutes until the onion is changing colour.
Add garlic and bread cubes, cook 3 minutes.
Add wine to pan and cook briefly to
evaporate. Add remaining ingredients and cook gently for
20 minutes over a low heat.
Blend the soup until well combined. For
a rustic soup only blend it briefly.
If necessary thin down the soup with a little
milk.
Serves 6
Notes:
Dry crusty bread is
excellent for this recipe.
Salt may be unnecessary
due to the saltiness of the pancetta
Food Facts:
Tomatoes first grew as wild
cherry sized fruits in the South American Andes
but the tomato as we know it today, originates
from Mexico. Tomato seeds were taken back to
the Mediterranean countries where they quickly
became popular. There are now more than 7,000
varieties of tomatoes. Eating tomatoes at least
two times per week is now believed to reduce the
risk of prostate cancer and to be beneficial in
fighting other forms of cancer. The key
ingredient in tomatoes is Lycopene which is a
carotenoid. Cooking tomatoes, most especially
in oil, releases the lycopene making it more
available to the body. Tomatoes are also said
to be good for the eyes. Tomatoes that are
ripened on the vine have far more vitamin C than
those that are picked green.
The name Basil comes from the Greek word for King - Basilius. It
is thought to have originated in Iran and in India but has spread
throughout Asia and also to the Mediterranean, where it is
particularly popular in Italian cuisine. It is also a prominent
ingredient in Thai cooking. This herb has leaves that can be green,
purple or variegated, depending on its variety. Basil is said to
have a calming affect on the body, particularly on the digestive
system. It is also said to be good for the heart. It improves
inflammation and is anti bacterial. Basil is still considered, by
prominent chefs and cookery authors, to be the King of Herbs.
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