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Winter Tomato Soup With Bulgur

Inspired by a recipe in Diane Kochilas’s wonderful new book “The Country Cooking of Greece,” this thick, satisfying soup is based on a summer soup made with fresh tomatoes. It looked so comforting that I decided to use canned tomatoes and make a winter version. The onion not only contributes flavor but also texture to this thick potage.

Ingredients

  • 1 28-ounce can chopped tomatoes in juice
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus additional if desired for drizzling
  • 2 medium onions, preferably red onions, finely chopped
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 to 4 garlic cloves, to taste, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • ½ cup coarse (#3) bulgur
  • 5 cups water (more to taste)
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
  • 2 ounces feta, crumbled (about 1/2 cup)
  • Nutritional Information
    • Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

      226 calories; 10 grams fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 5 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 29 grams carbohydrates; 7 grams dietary fiber; 9 grams sugars; 6 grams protein; 12 milligrams cholesterol; 514 milligrams sodium

      • Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.

Serves 4 to 6

Preparation

  1. Pulse the tomatoes to a coarse puree in a food processor. Heat the olive oil in a heavy soup pot over medium heat and add the onion and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until the onion is very soft but not browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste and sugar and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down slightly, about 10 minutes. Add the bulgur, water, and salt to taste and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer 30 to 45 minutes, until the bulgur is soft and the soup thick and fragrant. Add pepper to taste and adjust salt.
  2. Ladle the soup into bowls and sprinkle with mint and feta. Drizzle on a little olive oil if desired. Serve hot.
  • Advance preparation: You can make this a day ahead and reheat.

1 hour

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