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Classic Tomato Pappa Tuscan bread vegetarian soup perfect for anyone looking for a healthy lycopene boost. This recipe is loaded with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins. Tomatoes are especially good for adult males as the cooked tomatoes really aid in prostate health. The flavors from this vegetarian soup are amazing and completely worth giving it a shot. Cooking at home has never been this easy.

Prep time: 30 minutes.

Tomato Pappa Bread Soup Health benefits by ingredient:

Basil / flavonoids found in basil provide protection at the cellular level. Orientin and vicenin are two water-soluble flavonoids that have been of particular interest in basil, and in studies on human white blood cells; these components of basil protect cell structures as well as chromosomes from radiation and oxygen-based damage.

Garlic / Cardiovascular, Anti-Inflammatory, Antibacterial, Antiviral Activity, Cancer prevention.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil / It turns out that people who use olive oil regularly, especially in place of other fats, have much lower rates of heart disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer, and asthma.

Tomato (cooked) / contains Lycopene – antioxidant and cancer-preventing properties.

Whole Grain Bread / Whole Grains Substantially Lower Type 2 Diabetes Risk and help to prevent Gallstones.

STEP 1: Gather your ingredients. The following makes enough for 4 adults, double this if you are the Brady Bunch.

- small bunch basil
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 TBSP balsamic vinegar
- 1 lb cherry tomatoes
- 1 whole grain hoagie bun or equivalent amount of whole grain bread
- (2) 14 oz cans of diced tomatoes
- 4 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
- Sea Salt
- Black Pepper

Step 2: Prepare your ingredients.

Chop the basil and set aside. Cut the crust off of the bread entirely and discard. Tear uncrusted bread in to small bite size chunks and set aside. Halve all of the cherry tomatoes and set aside. Press the garlic and set aside.

Step 3: Heat up a deep pan (I use a dutch oven) on medium heat. Once heated, add in 2 TBSP of the extra virgin olive oil and garlic. Brown the garlic until it is aromatic. Once you have browned the garlic, add in the 2 TBSP of balsamic vinegar and cook it down until it becomes a sticky.

Step 4: Add in the tomatoes and basil. Cook on medium heat until the tomatoes, basil, garlic, and balsamic are a sticky texture. The time this takes can vary, but usually about 7-8 minutes until this occurs. Essentially you do not want much water left from the tomatoes as we want the flavors from the balsamic, basil, and garlic to adhere to the tomatoes.

Step 5: Add in both cans of diced tomatoes. Fill one of the empty tomato cans with water and add to the pan. Bring to a boil.

Step 6: Once boiling, toss in your bite sized chunks of bread and remaining 2TBSP of extra virgin olive oil coating the bread as best as possible. Turn heat down to medium.

Step 7: Let the mixture bubble and simmer. Stir every few minutes until the bread breaks down and creates a velvety texture. This can take 10-15 minutes.

Step 8: Salt and pepper to individual taste. We recommend using Sea Salt for it rich flavor. Serve and enjoy.

I hope you enjoy this healthy and delicious soup. As you can read above, every single ingredient has massive health benefits you can enjoy.

Christian Henning, NASM-CPT
GetFitOKC.com

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