PAPA COL POMODORO (TOMATO SOUP)
This dish is a traditional Tuscan soup that I guarantee is different than any tomato soup you've ever had before.

Serves 4 People
Time: Approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes

Ingredients
300 g. of stale Tuscan bread (3-4 days old)
250 ml of extra virgin olive oil (2 tablespoons/person)
Garlic (1 clove per person)
Fresh basil
2.6 cups (600 g.) of diced canned tomatoes
Salt and pepper
500 ml of broth – chicken or vegetable
Pinch of red pepper (cayenne pepper)

Instructions:
1. Cut or tear the bread into cube size bites. Set aside.
2. In a large pot heat garlic on medium heat in a generous amount of oil.
3. As soon as the oil is hot add basil leaves and stir.
4. Add the bread, stirring continuously until it has absorbed the flavor of the garlic and all of the oil.
5. Add the tomatoes and a generous amount of salt and pepper . Make sure tomatoes are luke warm, otherwise the soup stops cooking.
6. Use two wooden spoons to mix the tomatoes, then use the spoons to mash up the tomatoes and the bread.
5. Add the broth to the soup.
6. Cover and simmer for 40 minutes to an hour.
7. Stir often until served. If too dry, simply add more broth.

Next week: learn how to make homemade gnocchi! It’s definitely a process, but well worth it!

Cheers!
Heather D. Panico