I absolutely love cooking with Hunt’s canned tomatoes. They’re inexpensive, don’t spoil and can be used to create a huge variety of delicious recipes. From soups to sauces to side dishes, the possibilities are endless. And every time I cook with Hunt’s canned tomatoes, I’m adding Vitamin C, fibre and potassium to my meal too!
There’s a reason Hunt’s canned tomatoes taste so good and it all starts with freshness. Hunt’s is passionate about picking tomatoes at the peak of ripeness to ensure that the true tomato flavour comes out in every dish. That delicious flavour is one that lends itself to all kinds of great meals and so when I got the chance to try out a tasty soup recipe created by celebrity chef and Tommalier (tomato expert) David Rocco, I couldn’t wait.
- 4 tbsp (56 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 bunch of fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped
- 2 fresh chili peppers, chopped
- 2 cans (14 oz/398 ml) tomatoes, such as Hunt’s Original Diced Tomatoes
- 1 can (19 oz/540 ml) lentils, drained and rinsed
- Salt, QB
- Pepper, QB
- 2 tbsp of tomato paste, such as Hunt’s Original Tomato Paste
- Water
- In a saucepan, heat olive oil. Add garlic, parsley and chili peppers and sauté for a few minutes until the garlic has started to turn golden.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes with the juice right from the tin. With the back of a wooden spoon, break up the tomatoes into little chunks. You can decide the consistency. Then add in the rinsed lentils, salt and pepper. Add tomato paste, and then add water about ½ an inch above the lentils. Bring to a boil, then lower to medium heat and cook for 20 minutes until the soup has thickened.
I made a few changes to the recipe based on the ingredients I had handy. Fresh chili peppers are rather hard to find in small-town Saskatchewan so I substituted yellow and orange bell peppers instead. They added an extra bit of sweetness to the soup that I really enjoyed. I also used dried instant lentils instead of canned. Because they absorb some of the water when cooking, this made for a very rich and filling soup perfect for an icy winter’s day.
Best of all, both my boys liked the soup too! I knew that Zackary and Benjamin would balk at the peppers but I managed to convince my sons that when vegetables were cooked all together in a soup, the individual flavours weren’t as noticeable. After a bit of pleading, Zackary finally took a bite and declared the soup, “Delish!”
If you’re looking for ways to incorporate more rich tomato flavour into your meals, David Rocco has some great tips for you too! I especially love the idea of making poached eggs in homemade tomato sauce! And don’t forget to check out www.huntstomatoes.ca for tons more tasty tomato recipes worthy of a Tommalier!
I love the fresh and delicious taste of Hunt’s canned tomatoes and I can’t wait to make this healthy and hearty soup again. But no matter what dish I’m whipping up for my boys, I can always trust that Hunt’s tomatoes will add genuine fresh flavour to my dish to create a meal the whole family will love!
Certainly looks hearty and flavourful!
It sure is! And healthy too!
Wait, it’s healthy? I’m out.
so awesome that the boys loved it too! definitely a hit!
I think that was the best part for me; finding food they will actually eat is HARD!
This sounds so great. Now if only I could make my husband eat some lentils! He is a lentil later
Aww, that’s so sad, Priya! My boys are both so-so on lentils, but I LOVE them! One day I’ll win them both over!
Looks delicious. Great Super Bowl recipe
That’s a good thought! Perfect for curling up on the couch and watching football!
Now this looks wonderful and a great recipe of winter. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Grace! It really is perfect for a cold day!
This looks delicious and so hearty!
I love a filling soup that’s still healthy, so I absolutely adored this recipe.
Oh my this looks delicious! I must make this for the superbowl this weekend.
Yay, Superbowl!
I always have canned tomatoes in the pantry and this is a great meatless monday recipe! Looks yummy
It’s pretty scrumptious and you’re right, it would be perfect for Meatless Monday! I may have to make it again just for that!
I’m making this tonight. Will let you know if my Italian hubby likes it.
Ooh, can’t wait to hear what he thinks! I loved it, but I am a bit of a lentil nut. Lol