Maggi Rich Tomato Soup
$1.25.
Serves 3 (200ml) = 44c per serve.
Takes about 6-7 minutes to prepare and heat.
Made according to the packet instructions, this turned out to be a curious pinky red.
Despite the maize starch and flavour enhancer (621 MSG) it was thin and didn't taste particularly like tomato.
A colleague described it as like cardboard.
I wouldn't buy this again - although it might be useful for trampers.
Watties Very Special Creamy Tomato Soup
$3.99.
Serves 2 (265ml) = $2 per serve.
Takes 6-7 minutes to prepare and heat.
A very thick soup, with a pleasant tomato flavour and a cooked milk aftertaste that some might describe as creamy.
Contains 90% tomato and 5% cream with various thickeners and other ingredients.
OK if you are in a motel or a desperate hurry.
Homemade tomato soup
$4.11.
Serves more than three at less than $2 per serving.
Takes about 15 minutes from scratch.
Good flavour, and thickened with puréed vegetables rather than flour.
The best option flavour and healthwise and it takes only a little longer than opening and heating a tin, or mixing and microwaving a powder.
Recipe:
1 tin tomatoes in juice
1 onion
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic
2 cups chicken stock
70g tomato paste (half small tin)
1/2 tsp sugar
salt and black pepper to taste
Chop onion and garlic and sweat in oil over medium heat for about 5 minutes.
Add tomatoes stock and paste and bring to boil.
Simmer 5 minutes or longer, purée, season and serve.
You can add a chopped carrot, potato or other vegetables in which case it will take a little longer to cook but will go further.
You can strain and roast the tomatoes along with the onion and any other vegetables before making the soup (about 10-15 minutes on fan-grill 185degC) which gives a deeper flavour, but is not necessarily worth the extra time.
If you like a milky flavour, add milk or cream.
A dash of lemon juice is a nice addition.
