Recipe: Tomato Vodka Soup

Tomato Vodka Soup
rec.food.recipes/andy.mich (2001)

2 Tbsp olive oil
6 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
2 medium yellow onions, peeled and chopped
15 large, very ripe tomatoes, cored and chopped (about 18 cups)
4 Tbsp Hungarian paprika
4 cups vegetable stock, preferably fresh but canned is OK
4 Tbsp all-purpose flour
salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste
6 ounces (3/4 cup) vodka

In a 10- to 12-quart pot, heat the oil and add the garlic and onion.

Saute until the onion is clear. Add the tomatoes and the paprika, bring to a heavy simmer, turn down the heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the vegetable stock, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes. Strain the soup into another pot and force through a sieve. Discard the solids. Return the soup to a simmer. Whip flour into soup until smooth and lump free.

Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes to reduce and thicken a bit. Add the salt and pepper. When ready to serve, add the vodka and serve immediately.

Serves 8