Spicy Tomato Garden Soup

Fall is here.  It is soup time.  If you are tired of the same tomato soup recipe, here is one with a kick.  It is made nutritious with the addition of all the vegetables you would like to put to use in your fridge.  This is a comforting soup that will make you say, whew but good.  The balsamic vinegar gives it an additional dimension and so does the cumin which you can skip if you are not into it.  This is a good dunking vehicle for crusty bread so if you prefer to dip than slurp you can do that too.  If you want it more soupy and creamy add more milk. 

Spicy Tomato Garden Soup

• 5 medium tomatoes (about 5 cups)
• 1 small onion
• 1 cup baby carrots
• 2 stalks celery
• 1 green pepper
• 1 small sweet potato
• 1 whole jalapeno pepper, stem removed
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp dry garlic flakes
• 1 tbsp dry onion flakes
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tbsp dry basil
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Place the first seven ingredients in the blender according to sequence given till well mixed.  Add the rest of the ingredients to the mixture and blend again.

Transfer the whole mixture to a pot and allow to boil for a few minutes and then simmer for 30 minutes or so till the flavors of the spices and vegetables blended.