Stewart's Spicy Tomato Soup

Serves 4-6

Warm, filling and with a spicy kick to the tongue to help keep out the chill of Winter! 

Ingredients:
500g of Tomatoes - Finely Chopped (I mix 250g of Cherry Tomatoes with Vine-Ripened Tomatoes)
500g Tomato Passata
2x Large Sticks of Celery - Diced
1x Large Leek - Diced
1 Ltr Chicken and/or veg stock
2x teaspoons of 'Lazy Garlic' / Chopped Fresh Garlic
500ml Creme Fraiche
1-2x Tablespoons Wholegrain Mustard
2x Teaspoons Paprika (Smoked preferably)
1x Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
2x Teaspoons Chives
1x Bunch Fresh Basil
2x Teaspoons Dried Parsley
Salt
Pepper
2x Teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce

Optional:
Dried Chillies
Tabasco

Instructions:
Fry the chopped tomatoes, leeks, celery and garlic in a large saucepan with oil and reduce

Add paprika and salt whilst frying

Once reduced sufficiently, add the chicken and/or veg stock, the passata and keep boiling

Add the cayenne pepper, wholegrain mustard and worcester sauce. Chillies optional

Simmer down once reduced a little

Add creme fraiche to help thicken

Add the fresh herbs and continue to simmer

Once reduced enough and cooked to the right taste and spice level, hand-blend the soup to become smooth

Cool and serve with fresh basil on top and crusty bread and a stick of cheddar cheese as desired

Enjoy!