Creamy Tomato Bisque

This recipe is quick, simple, and CLEAN!  I love clean eating!  It takes about 35 minutes with prep time to cook and serve.  Great for dinner parties or just a party of one!  Leftovers are fantastic with this soup!  Add fresh cilantro, fresh green onions, and whole kernel corn for a Southwest kick!  Or some Parmesan cheese with a rosemary buttered crostini.  The possibilities can be endless!!!  Now, the recipe:

2 garlic gloves, minced
2 Tbsp. butter, unsalted
2 Tbsp. all-purpose wheat flour
4 Cups low-sodium (NO MSG) chicken broth
1 can organic tomato paste
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper (optional, but delicious!!! I'm just saying!!!)
1/2 Cup half and half cream
1/2 Cup low-fat milk
Salt and pepper to taste

In a medium to large sauce pan, saute garlic in the butter (careful not to burn the garlic, as burnt garlic is horrid and bitter).  Stir in flour SLOWLY until well-blended; add chicken broth.  Stir in tomato paste, cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper, salt and pepper until well blended.  Bring to a nice rolling boil for two minutes or until the soup is slightly reduced. Reduce heat to and SLOWLY stir in the cream and milk.  Let simmer for 3-5 minutes.  Add salt and pepper to taste, if not enough.

This soup is very healthy!  And, here is why:  Tomatoes are a "superfood" (foods loaded with nutritional elements).  Tomatoes contain a potent phytochemical called lycopene which prevent free radicals from damaging joints, muscles, and brain cells.  When cooked, the body can better absorb lycopenes amazing antioxidant properties.  Even ketchup is a good source of lycopene.  But, tomatoes are not the only nutritionally rich ingredient.

Cayenne pepper has been proven to improve circulation, rebuild blood cells, lower cholesterol, emulsify triglycerides, remove toxins from the bloodstream, and improve overall heart health, according to cayennepepper.info.  Not only that, but research has begun to validate research that cayenne pepper can help stop heart attacks, nourish the heart with vital nutrients, remove plaque from the arteries, help rebuild flesh destroyed or harmed by frostbite, heal hemorrhoids, re-build stomach tissue, heal stomach ulcers,  and fortify your overall health. 

So why not brew up a batch of fantastic tasting, good for you Creamy Tomato Bisque!  Hopefully, you'll enjoy it and it's health benefits as much as I do!  Cheers!