Greek Tomato and Orzo Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 ripe tomatoes, diced 4 ripe tomatoes, diced
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth
• 1 cup (180g) orzo pasta 1 cup (180g) orzo pasta
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 6g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 42g, 8g
• Protein: 7g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until translucent.
2. 2.
   Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, and dried thyme to the pot. Stir well to combine.
3. 3.
   Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
4. 4.
   Add the orzo pasta to the pot and cook according to package instructions, usually around 8-10 minutes, until al dente.
5. 5.
   Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
6. 6.
   Serve the Greek Tomato and Orzo Soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Orzo pasta — Be sure to cook the orzo pasta separately and add it to the soup at the end to prevent it from becoming too soft and mushy.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, you can add a splash of red wine to the soup while simmering.
• Feel free to customize the soup by adding vegetables like carrots, celery, or bell peppers.
• To make it heartier, you can add cooked chickpeas or white beans to the soup.
• Serve the soup with a side of crusty bread for a complete meal.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Serving advice

Serve the Greek Tomato and Orzo Soup in individual bowls, garnished with fresh parsley. Accompany it with a slice of crusty bread for a satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, drizzle a swirl of olive oil on top of the soup just before serving. You can also sprinkle some crumbled feta cheese or grated Parmesan for an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal.