Okay, So It Isn’t Chicken Soup

Today is National Chicken Soup for the Soul Day. Now I thought about sharing a Chicken Noodle Soup recipe, but we’ve recently done that. We’ve also done Chicken and Rice Soup. So I thought we’d reach back into our catalog of soups and enjoy the most amazing Tomato Soup on the planet.

While not a Chicken Soup, the whole concept of Chicken Soup for the Soul really has nothing to do with Chicken Soup of any kind. Besides, we do make this soup with chicken stock, so that sould count for something.

Chicken Soup for the Soul is about truly nourishing the soul, raising the spirit. We sometimes need reminders that even when life is hard, we are not alone. I know that it seems people have become angry and filled with hate. It’s easier for the media to focus on negative sensationalism that to show the positive things all around us. Recently as Hubby and I were on our way to the grocery store we drove by a small neighborhood church. The parking lot and street were filled with cars. There were tables set up with boxes of food. The news might say look at all these people facing a loss of assistance due to the government shut down. That would be true. But what I saw were people stepping up and making it possible for their church to provide. Yes, it’s sad that there is a need. Jesus once said the poor will always be here. When hard times come to others, the measure of who we are is in how we respond to that need. There are good people in this world, unsung heroes who give of their wants and at times of their needs to make sure others are not going without. And yes, this image of the food lines reminded us it was time again to box up supplies for our own Parish Food Closet.

Giving, especially when not recognized, is such an uplifting thing to do. When we give of ourselves to others, we are answering His call. We are helping ourselves in the process. Hate begets hate. Oh but love and kindness begets even more love and kindness. By making this world a better place, we are better. And great is our reward in Heaven, to sit at the feet of our Lord.

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For today’s recipe share, I thought we’d make it a Soup and Sandwich Combo. Since we needed Bacon and Arugula for the soup, why not fry up even more bacon for a delicious Arugula BLT? Have a wonderful evening with family gathered round the supper table. Remember to give thanks always to the Lord above.

BLT Soup with Croutons and Arugula Pesto
Sourdough Croutons
5 slices Sourdough Bread
1 tablespoon Butter
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
Sea Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste

To Prepare the Croutons
Heat oven to 375 degrees.

Cut bread into cubes as desired and set aside. Melt butter and mix with the olive oil in a large bowl. Add the bread cubes, salt and pepper. Gently toss until the bread cubes are coated.

Spread bread cubes out on a rimmed baking sheet and place into the heated oven for 8 minutes or until golden brown. About mid-way through, give the pan a good shake and check the croutons.

Remove from the oven and set aside. Croutons can be made in advance. Place in an air-tight container and store until ready to use.

Arugula Pesto
1 tablespoon Pine Nuts, toasted
1/2 cup Arugula
1/2 cup Spinach
1/2 cup Olive Oil
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
Kosher Salt to taste
White Pepper to taste

To Prepare Pesto
Lightly toast pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes, shaking pan often.

Combine the arugula, spinach, olive oil, cheese, nuts, salt and pepper in a blender or food processor. Puree until smooth. Set aside until ready to use.

The Soup
3/4 cup White Onion
2 Celery Ribs
2 medium Carrots
1 tablespoon Roasted Minced Garlic, from a jar
1 1/2 tablespoons Olive Oil
2 tablespoons Butter
1 can Petite Diced Tomatoes
4 cups Tomato Puree
2 cups Chicken Stock
1 tablespoon Tomato Paste, form a tube
Kosher Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste

To Prepare the Soup
Finely mince the onion and celery ribs. Set aside. Peel and finely dice the carrots. Set aside.

In a large stockpot, heat the oil and butter until foaming over medium heat.  Add the vegetables to the stockpot and cook over medium heat until translucent.

Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato puree and chicken stock. Bring just to the point of bubbling. Cover, lower to a simmer and let everything come together in the pot for an hour or more. The longer it simmers, the deeper the flavors.

Remove from the heat, season with salt and pepper to taste. Puree with a hand-held blender.

Bacon Lardoons
1/2 lb Bacon

To Make Bacon Lardoons
Dice the bacon into small pieces. Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Cook the diced bacon until all the fat has been rendered off and the bacon is crisp. Drain on paper towels and set aside until ready to use.

To serve, ladle the soup into bowl. Garnish with croutons, bacon and pesto.

Arugula BLTs
18 slices Hickory Smoked Bacon
2 Beefsteak Tomatoes
Handful fresh Arugula
3 Green Leaf Lettuce Leaves
12 tablespoon Mayonnaise, divided
6 slices Sourdough Bread

In a large skillet over medium heat, fry bacon until crisp. If necessary, fry in batches. Drain on paper towels and keep warm until ready to use. Once the bacon has been fried, drain and reserve drippings for the future. Wipe out skillet and return to medium heat.

While the bacon is frying, slice tomatoes into 6 beautiful rounds. Rinse and pat dry the Arugula and lettuce leaves.

Spread about a tablespoon of mayonnaise on each slice of sourdough bread. Once the skillet is ready, place the bread, mayonnaise side down, and grill until nicely golden.

Lay bread, grilled side down, on a work surface. Spread remaining 6 tablespoons of mayonnaise over each soft side of the bread. Top 3 bread slices with a lettuce leaf, 2 slices of tomato, then 6 slices of bacon. Scatter Arugula over the bacon. Close sandwich with remaining bread. If necessary secure with cocktail skewers, cut sandwiches in half.

Serve alongside the soup for an oh so satisfying supper.

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Defend the lowly and the fatherless;
render justice to the afflicted and the destitute.
Rescue the lowly and the poor;
from the hand of the wicked deliver them.
Rise up, O God, bring judgment to the earth.