Creamy Tomato and Summer Herb Soup

Jun 1, 2008 by Judi

A very simple creamy soup that will satisfy your soup cravings plus get some vegetables into your diet.

Homemade soup from scratch helps control the nutritional content and it can be quicker and easier than you realize!

Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4

2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium sweet onion, chopped (approx 1 cup)
4 large vine ripe tomatoes, dices (approx 4 cups)
3/4 cup water
1/3 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1 TBSP chopped fresh tarragon (may substitute with basil)
1/4 tsp salt
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

- Heat oil over medium in a medium sauce pan.
- Add chopped onion and sauté until softened.
- Add tomatoes and water, bring to boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.

- Transfer soup to a food processor or blender (taking care blending with hot liquids) and puree until smooth.
- Using a strainer over the saucepan, pour the puree through the strainer.
- Discard the seeds and skin.

Whisk the sour cream and tarragon into the soup. Stir over low heat until soup is hot, but not boiling. Season with salt & pepper.

Nutritional information, per serving:
108 calories; 40 calories from fat; 4 g fat (1 g saturated; 0 g trans fat); 7 mg cholesterol; 15 g carbohydrate; 4 g protein; 3 g fiber; 176 mg sodium.

Credits: Recipe and information from Dayton Daily News, Life section, Monday May 12, 2008, by Jim Romanoff

Propagating / Rooting African Violets for New Plants

Apr 27, 2008 by Judi

Originally uploaded by madaise.

Years ago, I was told to clip the leaves off of an African Violet and to put it in dirt. It would root and grow a new plant. I’m really not very good at watering frequently enough to keep the soil moist.. admitting this, I never tried this method.

Last year, I came across a new method I thought I’d try. The one given was too much work (in my lazy opinion, ha!) - a jar, covering the opening with wax paper; two holes - one for the violet stem and the other to use for watering… I mangled the whole project very easily. And ended up with dried up african violet stems.

Walking around Old Roberds Emporium one day, I found some small bottles - something like what they use to (maybe still do) serve alcohol in on airplanes - the little individual bottles.

For a quarter a piece, I bought several of them, just because (I’m a pack rat, another admission.). I stuck an African Violet leaf and long stem into the bottle and within a couple weeks, I had roots. I had no idea it was so easy to propagate african violets!

Only a few weeks more and I had little leaves growing off the main one. I’ve been lazy and haven’t planted any of them yet.. been waiting for some free time and nice weather - so I’ll so it soon.

Here are the bottles I used with the stems in it.

Here is a picture of one of my African Violets last year.

I never use straight tap water for my plants. I collect empty gallon jugs (water and milk), rinse and fill with tap water. I let these sit at least 48 hours before using to water any of my plants. This allows for the chemicals in the water to evaporate.

See more of my house plant pictures.