Cooking Light Virtual Supper Club Weighs In with Theresa's Double Tomato Soup

Theresa's Double Tomato Soup

For years now, people have been counting and cutti­ng calories. As a country full of health conscious consumers we are hard-pressed to venture out into the world without thinking about what we eat. We are helped along at the grocery store with packaging and labels listing calories per serving, fat, salt intake, etc. somewhere on the package. Do we all check our calories at the door. Probably not all of the time, but being conscious of what travels from plate to fork to lips is an excellent way to live life. 

With the holiday season beckoning we somehow feel we need to give up flavour to eat healthily. Here at the Cooking Light Virtual Supper Club we have dreamed up a menu on the healthier side without giving up any of the comfort you find in delicious food. Decadent foods can and will always be a part of our future but you can still be magnetically drawn to the table by recreating tasty, heart healthy dishes.This months theme "Under 300 Calories" was chosen by our very own Jerry of Jerrys Thoughts, Musings and Rants.  

When we eat and drink, we’re putting energy (calories) into our bodies. Our bodies then use up that energy, and the more physical activity we do, the more energy (calories) we use. To maintain a stable weight over the holidays, the energy we put into our bodies must be the same as the energy we use every day and physical activity.  

We always appreciate you joining us for this monthly event where a group of ladies and one gent in two neighbouring countries get together on the first Wednesday of every month to create a delicious meal from appetizers to dessert with a theme in mind. In its fourth year this is a team effort where we continue to share a love for healthy eating and living. We look forward each month to strengthening our bonds, and enjoying each others company virtually. 

Let's see what our group has brought to the feast….

Jerry of Jerrys Thoughts, Musings and Rants  starts us off with an intriguing Asian inspired recipe of Chiang Mai Pork Patties.  Delish and only 297 calories.

Sandi  of Whistlestop Cafe Cooking continues with the Asian theme with tasty Chinese Scallops as an appetizer - 70 calories each serving.

Are you craving a heart warming soup and all for only 76 calories. I brought along Theresa’s Double Tomato Soup topped with fresh basil and a swirl.  I like the use my immersion blender for soups but you can also use a blender as instructed.

Susan of The Spice Garden rounds out our meal with a delicious side that would you believe weighs in at only 218 calories per serving. With no heavy cream or butter she recreated this luscious Two-Potato Gratin.

And YES you can have dessert. Sarah of All Our Fingers in the Pie recreates a Pumpkin Pie Pudding, perfect for the season at 288 calories per serving.

**Theresa's Double Tomato Soup**

1 tablespoon butter
1 medium onion, chopped
3/4 cup shredded carrot
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced shallots
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
10 large basil leaves, divided
3 drained sun-dried tomato halves, packed in oil with herbs (such as California Sun Dry brand)
2 (14.5-ounce) cans organic diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion, shredded carrot, garlic, and shallots to pan, and cook for 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring frequently. Add sugar, pepper, salt, and 4 basil leaves, and cook 5 minutes. Add sun-dried tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour. Remove from heat. Place half of soup in blender. Remove center piece of blender lid (to allow steam to escape); secure blender lid on blender. Place a clean towel over opening in blender lid (to avoid splatters). Blend until smooth. Pour into a large bowl. Repeat procedure with remaining soup. Divide soup evenly among 6 bowls. Garnish each serving with 1 basil leaf.

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