Easy tomato soup

This recipe, from our weekly Food section, comes from Susan Nicholson, a graduate of Mary Washington College who is an Atlanta-based cookbook author and registered dietitian. My colleague Edie Gross raved about this soup — the flavor and the ease of making it. It requires about 15 minutes of prep time and about 40 minutes of cooking time.

Serves 6

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cups onions, chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• Large pinch of saffron threads
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes (such as  Marzano)
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 cup orzo
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Directions:

• In a Dutch oven, heat oil on medium. Add onions; cook on medium-low 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown.
• Add garlic; cook 1 minute. Stir in broth, tomatoes, saffron, salt and pepper. Bring to boil; simmer 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook orzo according to directions; drain and add to soup.
• Stir in cream; return to simmer on low and cook 10 more minutes, stirring frequently.

Nutritional information per serving: 268 calories, 5 grams protein, 15 grams fat (48 percent calories from fat), 5.7 grams saturated fat, 31 grams carbohydrate, 27 milligrams cholesterol, 600 milligrams sodium, 5 grams fiber

Recipe adapted from: “Barefoot Contessa Foolproof,” by Ina Garten, Clarkson Potter, 2012.)

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