Curried Cream Of Tomato Soup With Apples

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons margarine
• 1 1⁄2 cups  finely-chopped onions
• 1  cup  finely-chopped celery
• 1  teaspoon  minced garlic
• 6  tablespoons curry powder
• 3  cups canned tomatoes, drained
• 1  bay leaf
• 1⁄2 teaspoon thyme
• 1  cup long-grain rice
• 6  cups  unsalted chicken stock
• 1  cup skim milk
• 1 1⁄2 cups  cubed apples
•  salt
•  fresh ground black pepper

Directions

1. Melt the margarine in a large kettle.
2. Add the chopped onion, celery and garlic.
3. Cook, stirring until tender.
4. Add the curry powder and cook, stirring about 1 minute.
5. Add drained tomatoes, bay leaf, thyme and rice.
6. Stir constantly while bringing to a boil.
7. Add chicken broth.
8. Return to boil and then simmer for about 30 minutes.
9. When rice is tender, remove the bay leaf.
10. Pour the soup into a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.
11. Return the soup to the kettle, add the milk and apple cubes.
12. Increase temperature and serve hot.