Spicy Cream of Tomato Soup

Ingredients

• 1 small red onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• 1/2 bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 red chile, deseeded (leave seeds in if you prefer it to be quite hot)

• 1 (14 ounce) can chopped tomatoes
• 1 pint vegetable stock
• 1 tablespoon mascarpone cheese (optional)
• double cream, to taste (or single cream, for a healthier option)
• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• salt, to taste

Directions

1. 1

   Heat a medium-sized pan, melt butter with oil.

2. 2

   Sweat onion, garlic, celery, pepper and chili until translucent.

3. 3

   Add tomatoes and vegetable stock.

4. 4

   Bring to boil, then let simmer until vegetables are soft.

5. 5

   Liquidise in a blender (I use a hand-held blender, but watch out for the hot liquid splashing!).

6. 6

   Put the soup back on the fire, add mascarpone cheese (if using), cream and salt to taste.

7. 7

   Serve with toast or crostini.