for those ugly tomatoes

here is what you do with the tomatos from your garden that fell short of being beautiful. the ones you would never slice and serve, not even hidden under a bun, covered with melted cheese and crispy bacon. even better...a great way to use the pile sitting on your counter slowly turning to mush and attracting fruit flies.

tomato-bread soup

everyday food magazine, sept '10 issue

ingredients: 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling 1 large yellow onion, diced small (2 1/2 cups) coarse salt and ground pepper 2 garlic cloves, minced red-pepper flakes (optional) 3 pounds very ripe tomatoes, cored and coarsely chopped (8 1/2 cups) 6 ounces day-old crusty bread, thick crusts removed, torn into 1-inch pieces (4 cups) 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn if large

directions: 1. in a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high. add onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring often, until soft, about 10 minutes. add garlic and pinch of red-pepper flakes (if using) and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. add tomatoes and cook, stirring often, until they begin to break down and release their liquid, 5 minutes. add 3 cups water and season with salt and pepper. bring to a boil, then add bread and stir to combine. reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until bread is soft and soup thickens, about 15 minutes. season to taste with salt and pepper. to serve, divide soup among serving bowls, drizzle with a little oil, and top with basil leaves.

the review: so yummy!!! i didn't drizzle with oil when serving, but did add some fresh parmesan cheese. also...my bread was not day old, so i sliced some fresh ciabatta and let it sit out for the afternoon. my children, didn't love it like the creamy tomato soup i make, but took their mandatory taste test and moved on to grapes, cheese and rolled up turkey. crazy if you ask me. definitely a keeper for when garden tomatoes are in season, i would never make this with canned tomatoes, and feeling like a lighter version of a cool evening, warm tomato soup.