Chilled Tomato and Mint Soup

Serves 4

25 g (1 oz) butter

2 onions, chopped

2 stick celery, chopped

2 rashers streaky bacon, rinded and chopped

2 x 397 g (14 oz) cans tomatoes, sieved

2 tablespoons tomato puree

300 ml (1/2 pint) chicken or vegetable stock

Few drops Worcestershire sauce

Salt and black pepper

2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

TO GARNISH:

4 teaspoons natural yogurt

Fresh mint sprigs

Melt the butter in a large saucepan and fry the onions, celery and bacon for 5 minutes without browning. Add the tomatoes, tomato puree, stock, Worcestershire sauce and salt & pepper and bring to the boil.

Lower the heat, cover the pan and simmer for 15 minutes. Sieve of place in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Leave to cool for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Stir in the fresh mint and adjust the seasoning. Chill in the refrigerator.

Serve in chilled soup bowls, with teaspoon of yogurt swirled into each and garnished with sprig of fresh mint.

Note: Mint can be chopped quickly and easily in food processor.

Serving Suggestions: Serve with crispy fried. Garlic-flavored croutons. For a light summer lunch, serve with French country Pate and crusty wholemeal bread.

Variation: Use fresh basil to replace the mint. Single cream can be substitute for the natural yogurt for richer flavor.

Freezing Instructions: Pack in a rigid container allowing a 1 cm (1/2 inch) headspace. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Microwave Instructions: Microwave on DEFROST for 20-25 minutes breaking down the block as it thaws. Chill in the refrigerator before serving.

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