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Consumer Cafe: Amazing Tomato Soup

January 17th, 2014

There is nothing better on a cold day than a Grilled Cheese Sandwich and Tomato Soup!

Here is a great recipe for Tomato Soup I found on tastykitchen.com. It’s not as easy as opening a can of tomato soup, but it’s worth it for the taste!

Amazing Tomato Soup

  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 Tablespoon Butter (NOT Margarine)
  • 1 whole Medium Onion, Chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • 1 jar Canned Whole Tomatoes (about 28 oz)
  • 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
  • 3 slices Sandwich Bread
  • 2 cups Chicken Stock (optional)
  • 1 Tablespoon Heavy Cream (more Or less depending on desired consistency)

Chop onion and garlic. You will be blending or purifying this so it does not have to be too fine.

Cut up 3 slices of bread into 1-inch cubes.

Heat 2 tablespoons oil and butter in large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Add the onion and garlic.

Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and their juice. Using a potato masher, mash until no pieces bigger than 2 inches remain. Stir in sugar and bread; bring soup to boil.

Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until the bread is completely saturated and starts to break down, about 5 minutes.

Transfer half of soup to a blender.

Process until soup is smooth and creamy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and repeat with remaining soup and oil.

OPTIONAL:

Rinse out the pot you cooked the soup in and return the soup to the pot.

Stir in up to 2 cups of chicken (or vegetable) broth until soup reaches desired thickness.

Or, add heavy cream to create a thick soup base perfect for dunking grilled cheese.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Optional garnishes include chopped parsley, fresh chopped basil, croutons, or a dollop of sour cream.

Glam Alert: Nivea Olive Oil and Lemon Lip Balm

January 16th, 2014

I know I’m going a little overboard on lip balms lately but it’s the dry season. PLUS, I was in CVS the other day and they had a buy two get one free of Nivea products, so what did I do? You know me so well.

The Nivea Olive Oil and Lemon Lip Balm is just as good as the other Nivea products I have blogged about before. If you like your lip balm to smell a little more herbal, this is the one for you. It does seem to have a smidge more shea butter than the other lip balms, but that could just be me.  Guys would love this one, because it’s green and manly and doesn’t smell girly.

Nivea claims A Kiss of Olive Oil & Lemon combines the moisturizing effects of olive oil with the power of lemons to soothe and nourish dry, rough lips and that it is enriched with Lemon Extract and Vitamin E.

All I know is it keeps my lippies moist and has a little staying power.

I vow to not do another lip balm for at least a month. Feel free to call me on it if I break my promise.

Website of the Week: rockbobble.com

January 15th, 2014

Be forewarned. My son is getting married later this year, so I am exploring a lot of new sites this year that have to do with weddings. So if you have a wedding in the future, you will enjoy, and if not, I promise you I will make certain that these sites are more than just wedding sites.

I found rockbobble.com while searching for groomsmen gift ideas. Not that my son has asked me to look for groomsmen gift ideas, I just like to help. I’m sure he appreciates it.

So for the person who has everything, why not get them their own custom made bobble head? For under $100, this is a great boss gift, father gift, husband gift, etc.

It’s so easy too. You just submit a photo, select a body, and your bobble head is in the works.

Plus they send you proofs throughout the process so you make certain it is just what you want. And if it isn’t, you can return for your money back.

CLR Calcium Lime and Rust Remover

January 14th, 2014

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged about a cleaning product I love, so let’s cover one of my favs today. I have used CLR Calcium Lime Rust Remover for decades. It is my go-to product any time I need to remove the deposits around my faucets, or clean my glass shower door to make it clear again, or even unplug the faucet spout or shower sprayer.

I used it recently to get rid of the deposits inside my humidifier. Ick. Who wants a humidifier that has calcium deposits around the part that you are breathing in?

I usually fill a small container with CLR and just hold the faucet spout in the container for a few seconds, and voila, it returns to give me a steady stream. In the shower I usually dampen a washcloth and hold on the sprayer for a few minutes.

If you’ve never tried CLR I would highly recommend it. You can find it at any supermarket, super store, or online.

From CLR:

  • Powerful non-toxic formulation effective on hardest of lime and calcium buildup
  • Great for cleaning coffee pots, coffee makers, commercial washing machines, dishwashers, vinyl siding, sinks, toilets, humidifiers and filters, hard water stains; For use with pressure washers
  • Exceptional versatility, effectiveness, and economy in one product
  • Safe for plumbing; Safe for use on light-colored grout; Septic safe; Biodegradable; Not harmful to nearby grass, shrubs, or vegetation
  • Patented calcium, lime, and rust remover for cleaning multiple surfaces including stainless steel, glass, fiberglass, ceramic, porcelain, chrome, cement, stucco, brick and more