PAPPA AL POMODORO (TUSCAN BREAD AND TOMATO SOUP)

PAPPA AL POMODORO (TUSCAN BREAD AND TOMATO SOUP) image

Yield 6-8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 (28-ounce) can chopped tomatoes, with juice
2 tablespoons tomato paste
Pinch of sugar
Pinch of red chili flakes
Salt and freshly ground pepper
4 cups water
1 pound stale country bread, crusts removed, cut into cubes (about 7 cups)
2 to 3 tablespoons slivered fresh basil

Steps:

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large, heavy soup pot over medium-low heat. Add the onion, and cook, stirring, until tender, about five minutes. Meanwhile, pulse the tomatoes in a food processor fitted with the steel blade until coarsely blended. 2. Add the garlic to the pot. Cook, stirring, for about a minute until fragrant. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, red chili flakes, and salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have cooked down, about 10 minutes. 3. Stir the bread cubes into the tomatoes. Add the water, half the basil and salt to taste. Increase the heat, and simmer, stirring and mashing the bread, for about 10 minutes until the soup is thick, like pap. Stir in the remaining basil, and taste and adjust the seasonings. Serve hot, warm or room temperature with the remaining olive oil drizzled over each serving.