Almost Creamless Creamy Tomato Soup
I love my morning time – blogging, reading blogs, putting my food together for the day. It’s just me, sometimes the dog will join me from the bedroom. Yesterday I would have had my usual morning coffee. I was out, but asked Hannah to pick some up on her way home. Unfortunately, it was decaf – such a waste! (thanks anyway Han!).
Sometimes these mornings get away from me – I usually have between an hour and a half to two hours before I have to leave my house for work. All of a sudden I realized I needed to get dressed and out the door in ten minutes! Luckily for me (unlucky for my husband and co-workers!) and am low maintenance, a two minute shower, hair pulled back in pony tail, pants, shirt (remembered to put a bra on!) and I was out the door.
But wait – I have a new morning ritual. Longtime readers will know I hardly ever wear makeup. I usually work out at lunch, so I figure, why bother? But I have fallen in love this this product: *update: you can find this at any drug store - I bought this at CVS for $9.99 – but a little goes a long way!
You only need about the size of a pea for your whole face, but the best part is that it doesn’t look or feel like you have foundation on. Hannah and I looked at it up close, and it has like these tiny beads in it – I have brown patches on my high cheek bones (I am in my 40′s people!), and some areas of my skin that are on the red side. This stuff evens my face out.
Okay, here is a picture of me, no make-up and BEFORE I got my eyebrows threaded (or what I like to say – before the caterpillars were plucked!). Notice the blotchiness of my skin?
this picture was taken a week and a half ago
Here is a picture I took after I got home from work last night before the sun went down. I cannot tell you how nervous I was about dropping my camera! Isn’t that a big difference?
Okay, my makeup lesson is done! Thanks for tuning in – ha! 
Can you ever leave the house without makeup? My twin sister never does!
As I was putting my stuff together I realized that I never put my breakfast together – but I actually had time to stop at the store and pick up a Jimmy Dean’s turkey sausage bowl – 6 Points.
And I have declared Wednesday Bagel Day! Thanks for the idea Lori – wow, two shout outs in back to back posts I love that Lori enjoys her bagels so much on Wednesdays!
Favorite all-time favorite bagel: jalapeno cheese bagel. The one I get is 8 points for the whole thing – so I have half for breakfast and half for lunch. So my breakfast total is 10 points all together.
The first recipe to catch my eye out of America’s Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook was Creamless Creamy Tomato Soup. Although, because this weeks BSI is Buttermilk (check out Renee’s BSI page for this weeks contest!) I did add 1/2 a cup of buttermilk to this because it didn’t change the points value.
I did tweak it a bit (I know your thinking, why the hell is she tweaking an America’s Test Kitchen recipe?!) but you’ll see my changes below:
Almost Creamless Creamy Tomato Soup (my submission to BSI – Buttermilk!)
- adapted from America’s Test Kitchen Healthy Cookbook
- This soup made 9 cups, so 4, 2 1/4 cups servings = only three points plus!
Ingredients:
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling- I only used 1/8 cup total1 medium onion, chopped (about one cup)Nope!- 3 medium cloves garlic, minced
- pinch of red pepper flakes - I used 1/2 teaspoon (this was almost too spicy for one of my co-workers – so start small!)
1 bay leaf- Nope!- 2 (28 oz) cans of whole tomatoes, packed in juice
1 tablespoons brown sugar- I reduced to 1 teaspoon3 large slices good-quality sandwich bread, crusts removed, torn into 1-inch pieces- I had no idea how much bread this was, so I just tore up 2 ounces of a french bagette I had in the pantry)- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth – I used 2 cups regular broth
2 tablespoons brandy (optional)– I left this out cause I didn’t have any- 1/2 cup buttermilk (BSI secret ingredient this week!)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives – I did this for my co-workers!!
Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion (because I know the rest of you will add it!), garlic, red pepper flakes and bay leaf. Cook, stirring frequently, until onion is translucent, 3-5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes in their juice. Stir in sugar and bread and bring soup to a boil. Reduce to medium low heat, and simmer until the bread starts to break down, about 5 minutes. Remove the bay leaf if using.
Using a stick blender, puree soup. Stir in chicken broth, brandy if using and salt and pepper to taste – since I used regular chicken broth, I only needed a pinch of extra salt. Sprinkle with chives if you like and another drizzle of olive oil.
look at how much soup you get?!
And the sammie? Heaven. Second half of my jalapeno bagel (4 points) 3/4 ounce mozzarella cheese (2 points), baby spinach and cranberry horseradish sauce my co-worker brought into work – 1 tablespoon was 25 calories, I used a teaspoon, so I am considering that zero points – 6 point grilled cheese – yum! 9 Points for the whole plate! I loved the slight sweetness from the cranberry sauce mixed with the spicy horseradish and salty cheese.
I love the crispy cheese edges on the bagel
Luckily my friend and I walked for 50 minutes at lunch so that I could work off March birthday cake celebrations at my office. I normally don’t eat cake, except for the month of Wmy birthday! My guess is 3 points for this piece:
When I saw Jenn’s blog post yesterday, she reminded me that I had quinoa pasta in my pantry that I haven’t used in months. On the box it says in big letters – “don’t overcook!” It went from still crunchy to perfect in 30 seconds so you really have to keep an eye on it.
I also found this sausage at my local store – holy cow was this flavorful – and cheap!
My plate: 2 ounces dry pasta (cooked), 2 ounces cooked sausage, baby spinach and a dollop of fat free ricotta cheese. 12 Points Plus.
Stats for Wednesday:
- 40 points plus, including the birthday cake and wine after dinner
- 29 flex points left for the week
- 22 activity points earned
- 108 average blood sugar
I’ve talked about cooking for two of my co-workers who are also on Weight Watchers. They totally surprised me yesterday with a thank you card and gift for helping them stay on program – check out what they got me!
just another tool to make me an athlete again!
Thanks K & R! That was so nice of you guys! Have a great Thursday!
Thanks for the other shout out! I am glad you liked those popcorn fish as well. They are a fun change up.
And hooray for bagels! They have to be one of my very favorite foods. Did you know that I had someone tell me (*after* I lost 100 pounds) that I wouldn’t lose any weight eating bagels? Silly peeps.
Must try that soup – it looks divine!
I hardly ever wear make up, but I know my skin could use some evening out… Especially all the brown spots that appeared in my late 30s.. I’ll have to look for the make up. It looks great on you and very natural.
Tomato soup is my favorite soup! Your version sounds great! And the sandwich makes me drool…
Happy Thursday!
I shouldn’t read your blog before I eat breakfast. I just went from hungry to starving! And wow, what a difference in your skin tone! You look great! (and your eyebrows look nice too! lol) I need to give it a try.
I rarely leave the house without makeup and doncha know every time I have, I run into an ex boyfriend. Boo!
Bagel Wednesday. Nom nom nom nom. I’ve decided to put them back into rotation as well!
Ok, I have that same blotchiness of red. I am SO going to try that out! Thanks for the tip! That bagel looks rocking!
Thursdays are my bagel day! Wow that makeup does a great job, I have the red spots too. I’m a makeup person though but that stuff would be nice when I just want a quick cover up I might look for it at the store. That soup does look great, I’m a big tomato soup and grilled cheese person.
I don’t wear make up either – unless it is a super special occasion but I do have the “mother’s mask” brown spots on my face from when I was pregnant [thanks kids, it never went away] and my face has a tendency to butterfly rash – so this may be a very good thing for me too – thank you so much for the heads up!
That soup looks incredible [what doesn't that you make. lol] so it goes on the list. And that is so, so, so sweet of your co workers – you are a good friend bizzy.
Tell Tony hi from all of us!
That soup looks so good! Tomato soup is the ultimate comfort food. My mom used to make us tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch.
You crack me up. I would totally add the onion.
Yeah, I got the brown spots on my face too. But I don’t wear makeup. Can’t wear it in the cleanroom.
Mmmm…I LOVE Tomato soup! One of my faves! Especially with grilled cheese.
What sweet co-workers you have! You will love you HR monitor. It’s so interesting to me to see that number go up and down as you work out! (I am easily amused….)
Wow, that makeup makes a huge difference for such a little bit! I’m the kind of person who doesn’t mind leaving my house with no makeup on and some sweats, but if I’m going somewhere and have time to get ready I usually put on some blush, eyeliner and mascara, I don’t usually wear foundation though..just some tinted moisturizer.
It all looks good, Biz. Including your before and after pics. I have a hard time leaving the house without makeup. Once in a blue moon I will but I keep my fingers crossed that I will not run into anyone I know.
That’s a great idea to make Wednesday Bagel day…I might do that, too.
owww that makeup sounds awesome! I have 0 artistic talent…so makeup is always a challenge for me. I try
I may have to pickup some of this goodness. That jalapeno bagel sounds so yummy. My husband is jalapeno obsessed. And tomato soup is so comforting- love the lighter version. SUCH a sweet gift. I am addicted to my HRM!
That soup looks great. It’s weird that there’s bread IN it though, right?
Your eyebrows look fantastic. I had mine threaded last time – it’s lasted a long time but not sure I’ll do it again, ouch! The makeup looks great too.
Your co-workers are very thoughtful but I’m pretty sure you are as well!
You are correct – its weird to have bread in the soup, but that’s what makes it thick without the heavy cream
And yes, threading is so painful – but way less painful to me than waxing, and it doesn’t look like my forehead has been punched like waxing does!
I’d wear makeup everyday if I could, but am too practical to “waste” it on days when I workout. I hate the idea of sweating of $6 of makeup from my face!!!
Have fun with your new toy! I love my HRM! It’s definitely a motivator and I love knowing exactly how many calories I burned.
Happy Thursday, Biz!
That all looks fantastic and that is certainly one cheap sausage!
How funny, I wear that same make up, only mine is the “anti-aging” version (it’s not helping, in case you were wondering). I am splotchy, too – may try the “skin balancing” version. I like it because it’s as easy as putting on moisturizer (something I only wear in the winter) and it does make a huge difference – you look great! Love your eyebrows in the after shot – how often do you have to get them threaded? I overplucked as a teenager, so when I’m not feeling super lazy, I fill mine in with a Loreal brow product. Any case, I am jealous of how fast you can get ready in the morning – I’m lucky to get my hair done in 10 minutes!
Yumm that soup sounds delicious. I am very picky about tomato soup… I don’t like ones that remind me of Ragu jarred sauce, and for some reason most of them tend to. But this one looks like it will be great!
That soup looks great! I love all of your changes “nope!” haha. I love finding a product that works for me and my skin – awesome. Especially moisturizer! I haven’t tried one of those breakfast bowls yet – keep meaning to!
I wear makeup to work every day, but mostly just mascara and a little blush. I don’t care on the weekends unless we’re going out! I like to think I’m low maintenance (not sure Jay would agree – ha!).
I LOVE homemade tomato soup – awesome!
I am going to have to pick that up! It looks great one you! Funny how you mentioned eyebrow threading. I have never gone but I think I am going to go next time I need to get my eyebrows done.
Soup and a sandwich is one of my favorite combinations. I am going to have to try this soup. It looks delicious!
That makeup looks awesome! I am a big fan of eye make-up – every morning I put on base, eye shadow, eye liner and mascara. It only takes about 5 mins and then I’m good to go!
- Beth @ http://www.DiningAndDishing.com
quick and easy makeup tips are always the best kind! im always on the hunt for a good concealer. i wear makeup every day but pretty simple (at least, i think so!)…just moisturizer with SPF, a bit of concealer, and mascara.
happy st. patricks day!
Wow, how cool is that makeup!!? I’ve got to try some. I rarely leave the house w/o makeup. I have acne scars that make me self conscious.
I stopped wearing make up when I left my office job, now i just put it on if I’m going somewhere…so, not very often
I used to eat a bagel every morning for breakfast, but now they are more of a treat and I look forward to them, had one this morning actually!
I will have to check out the Almay makeup you are using. Sounds like great stuff at a great price.
I’m also really into those jalapeno bagels. Wow, do those look good!
Thanks for leaving the comment about the Irish Nachos. I thought your idea of a reuben/corned beef quiche sounds wonderful. I’d like to see that recipe!
I wear less makeup than I did years ago, but still usually have a bit of mascara and lipcolor on before I venture out. And concealer is big….I have hormonal woman in her 40s skin. sigh. Have a great day Biz!
Wow what difference on that makeup! I don’t rock makeup, but I might buy that!
Happy birthday! Your bagel grilled cheese is making me very hungry right now. I’ve been eating a sweet and spicy chutney on my grilled cheese, and also love the salty sweetness. Off to get a snack now…
16a15c35f6You can certainly see your skllis within the work you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. Always go after your heart. 18d
I almost always wear make up, never leave the house with out it! Your brows look amazing and the make up is light and evens out your skin tone! Awesome find.
No one eats more variety in their meals than you! I like how you split the bagel between two meals, brilliant!
You look great…I will have to get me a tube of that, I too rarely every wear make-up but would like my face to have a more even tone. Thanks for sharing dear!
I’ve never done the eyebrow threading thang before but I have heard good things! Your brows look fierce! I will be addressing mine next week along with my mustache. My husband will appreciate that one…
That’s actually what they ask me when they are done with my eyebrows – “you want me to do your lip and chin?” Um, NO!
It took me all day to read this post – that’s how crazy busy my day was!
Umm..I’ll take some of that makeup for our birthday!
Great eats Biz!!!
Wow, yeah that makeup really smoothed out your complexion and it looks so natural. Your eyebrows are lovely too. Is that a pain in the butt to get done? I personally only wear base a few times a year (I use Bare Minerals, which I love) b/c I just don’t have the patience to do it more often. I’m sure I’ll get more patient as I get older and have more and more things to cover up–LOL! That’s so nice of them to get you that heart rate watch.
I don’t even HAVE any eyebrows to thread…my eyebrows are so light. I have no idea what to do with them. I also don’t really know how to put on make-up, so I don’t. I’m surprised with how light that foundation is…I couldn’t really tell that you had any!
I love your eyebrows!! Also, I think i might have to check that foundation!
Wow! That make up is impressive! I adore make-up and with blonde eyelashes, I can’t really get by without it.
The soup looks amazing…definitely making that! And that sausage is a steal for SURE!!!
Have a great weekend, Biz! I know I’m a bit late getting to yesterday’s post but my work has blocked ALL blogs and it’s so depressing
I’m a pretty low maintenance girl myself so I almost always leave the house without makeup on. Sometimes I wish I cared just a little bit more! lol