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Nothing takes the chill off at lunch or dinnertime like a bowl of hot soup. It's delicious, easy and not very expensive. One of the easiest kinds to make at home is tomato soup. It's a lot tastier than canned and not too much more trouble, either.

You'll need:

• Small to medium onion, peeled & chopped
• About 1 cup of sliced or chopped carrot
• 2 Tbsp. butter or olive oil
• 1 - 28 oz. can of tomatoes, diced or whole
• 1 can (14 - 16 oz) chicken broth or homemade equivalent
• salt, pepper & herb of your choice (dill or basil recommended) plus a bay leaf. 
• powdered milk or cream (optional)
• large saucepan & a food processor, blender or stick blender

Saute the carrot & onion until limp and beginning to brown in the butter/oil. Add the tomatoes, broth & herbs. Simmer, covered until vegetables are soft. Remove bay leaf. Puree in batches in the blender or processor. Return to stove and add powdered milk or cream, if desired, and simmer for a few more minutes. Stir occasionally so it doesn't stick. Season with salt & pepper to taste and serve, garnishing with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt, chopped parsley or croutons.  If you like your soup smoother, you can force it through a sieve to remove the vegetable solids, but you'll be losing a lot of good fiber.

The best thing about making this soup, besides eating it, is that you can keep some in the refrigerator and heat it up in the microwave for a quick lunch or dinner. With some crackers or bread and cheese and a piece of fruit for dessert, it's a whole meal.