Tomato Florentine Soup

What a fabulous day today, the sun is gorgeous, breeze gentle, day perfect. I walked this afternoon with a friend, enjoyed some "girl" time, came home to a house filled with wonderful smells from my crock pot. Dinner is ready and all I had to do was put it together this morning and forget about it all day. Now I get to enjoy a relaxing dinner with my sweet husband. What more could I ask for? I will share my bean soup recipe some other time, today I made Tomato Florentine at work. You can call it whatever you like, that was the best I could come up with today.

Tomato Florentine Soup

Recipe for my soup today is as follows:

In a large stock pot add 2 qts water and 1 qt crushed tomatoes, bring to a simmer and add 2 c. shredded carrots, 5 potatoes (peeled and cubed), 2 c. corn, 2 T. chicken base, 1 T. honey, 2 t. cumin, 1 t. garlic powder, 1 t. Italian Seasonings, salt and pepper to taste, cook until potatoes are tender, add 6 pieces american cheese and 3 c. baby spinach leaves. Cook until spinach wilts. Serve in a beautiful bowl with your favorite bread or homemade croutons.

Homemade Crouton Recipe:

In a large bowl add 3 c. olive oil, 2 T. Italian Seasonings, 1 T. Garlic Powder, 1 T. Onion Powder, 2 T. Paprika, 2 t. Salt, 2 t. black pepper, mix together and add 1 loaf bread (cubed), mix well. Place on a baking sheet and put in a 350 degree oven and cook until bread is golden brown and crunchy feeling. Check every 5 minutes to ensure not over cooking. Should not take more than 15 minutes, depending on your oven.

You can use this same crouton recipe for French Onion Soup, Tomato Soup or any other soup that needs a little something extra.

Enjoy cooking,

The Lunch Lady :)