PENSIONERS DELIGHT CHEATS' EASY RUSTIC TOMATO SOUP: anti-inflammatory, Triple Duty

Unusual tasty rustic soup ...for singletons/small households...

Pulses add body to an easy, richly flavoured make-it-yourself tomato soup , served here with Savoury Sardine Pinwheels 
'Reminded me of greenhouse tomatoes of my childhood: with genuine chicken stock, it tasted fresh and full of goodness.' 'I really liked this and the no-sweat cooking!'

Sometimes, in the middle of a busy week, only a thick and luscious soup will do for a meal.  Gloriously rich, full of warming flavours, and - depending on what's in the fridge - studded with bits of protein.  

When home-made soup is not an option, 67 is not averse to using a tinned soup as a base.  But what if the cupboard/freezer is bare of your favourite and the veg drawer is depleted?   

If there's a tin of tomatoes in the cupboard, you're good to go. Add a bit of garlic, some pulses/rice/pasta  and a nice bit of herb, fresh or dried,  like basil or parsley or chives, and within minutes, you have comforting super tasty autumn soup.  

I know, I know -- there are many and varied home-made tomato soups (many found in 67goingon50).  But in this recipe* the addition of pulses or some kind of carb gives the soup a rustic but satisfying simplicity.  And in the middle of a cost of living crisis, it's ultra frugal as well as tasty.  Give it a go.

If you like, add protein: cubes of tofu, vegetarian or meat sausages, prawns. Or fabulous crisp and crunchy memorable croutons.  It will make a lovely snack that's not quite a meal.

Or, for  full-on supper, serve alongside 5 minute cheese muffins (no eggs needed), or or ultra cheese on toast, both super-easy. Or try the wonderful savoury sardine pinwheels, worth the extra effort.  All are easy on the budget.  

Cost: about £1, not including protein or extras
Feeds: 1-2,  multiplies easily

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil

1-2 large cloves garlic, peeled and grated

1 tin tomatoes, crushed with a fork

couple of handfuls split peas, tinned or reconstituted OR rice OR pasta

1-2 high meat sausages OR 60-70 gm mince raw or cooked meat OR vegetarian sausages (opt)

pinch of sugar

1/2 tsp celery (or table) salt

a few sprigs of fresh or 1/4 tsp dried basil

frozen peas (opt)

Garnish: parmesan or other cheese (opt)

Method: