Pappa al Pomodoro (Italian Bread and Tomato Soup)

Never throw out stale bread ever again! Make Pappa al Pomodoro from the leftover half loaf of bread. It's a simple Italian soup with canned tomatoes, vegetable stock, and some easy aromatics. This comforting vegan soup is flavorful and ready in just 30 minutes.

Italians are masters at turning pantry staples into a comforting and easy meal that can be passed down through generations. You can count on one hand the ingredients in many of Italy's most famous dishes, from Spaghetti Aglio e Olio and Stracciatella Soup to Spaghetti Aglio e Olio. Pappa al Pomodoro, a classic nonna dinner, is a prime example: just a few ingredients, comfort and all!

This Pappa al Pomodoro is another recipe that will ensure food does not go to waste. Fresh bread can also be used, but it's best toasted.

The crisp bread is simmered in a tomato-based broth with fresh basil, garlic and onions. It becomes almost custardy as it absorbs the flavors and melts. You can serve this hot, cold or at room temperature. It's a great dessert to enjoy the next day.

Pappa al Pomodoro Ingredients

The quality of the ingredients makes all the difference in this Italian bread soup. Use the best olive oil and tomatoes you can find!

• Extra Virgin Olive Oilis both used to sauté the vegetables and finish a soup, adding flavor and enriching it. You can use any good extra virgin olive oil. You can buy our Italian Nocellara in our shop.
• Red Pepper Flakes bring a bit of heat to this simple soup, adding a new layer of complexity. You can choose Aleppo Pepper if you are sensitive to heat. Read more about this pepper in our guide, What is Aleppo Pepper. Visit our store to get a taste.
• Yellow onion and Garlic give the dish a sweet-salty depth. You can use red onion, shallot, white onion or any combination of these.
• San Marzano tomatoe are sweeter than honey and have a lower acidity. You don't even need to add sugar. Make sure the tomatoes are labeled as "DOP". If they are too tart, you can always add sugar.
• The whole basil stems will give the soup a strong basil taste, while the garnish of the leaves will add freshness and aroma. This soup is quite hearty, so freshness is important. It's not recommended to use dried basil.
• Use a high-quality vegetable broth that is not overly sweet or salted. Also, chicken stock or broth works well.
• Ciabatta has a nice sweetness, is tangy and fluffy. It's perfect to melt into soup. You can use any rustic, fluffy bread in its place.
• Kosher black Pepper and salt enhances the flavor.

Pappa al Pomodoro

This simple Italian soup is perfect for weeknight meals, late night dinners and quick lunches! It only takes 30 minutes to prepare this simple pappa all pomodoro. This recipe is great for when your fridge is almost empty and you are hungry! To make Pappa al Pomodoro:

Prepare yourself

• Prepare ciabatta. Cut about 1/2 pound ciabatta into half lengthwise. (or you can cut the bread into 1-inch cubes). Skip the next step if you are using very stale or crusty bread. Spread the bread onto a baking sheet and drizzle it with olive oil. Then, broil the bread on high for about 2 minutes until it is golden. Watch the bread so it doesn't burn. Set aside.
• Warm up the broth. Add three cups to a small saucepan and gently heat over low heat.
• Prepare the vegetables. Finely chop one small yellow onion and thinly slice four garlic cloves.

Cook, Simmer and Serve

• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium pan over medium heat, until it shimmers. Add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, and reduce the heat to medium low. Stir occasionally as you add the garlic and onion and cook on medium-low until it is golden. Do not allow the mixture to burn or become dark brown.
• While the onions are lightly golden, use your hands to remove the tomatoes from a (28-ounce) can and break them into large chunks over the pan. Once the onions have turned a light golden color, remove the tomatoes from the 28-ounce can with your hands and break them up into large chunks. Pour the juices of the can into the pan, and then add the basil. Turn up the heat so that it simmers.
• Simmer. For garnish, set aside a few pieces of bread torn. Stir in the rest of the bread and 2 cups warm broth when the soup has simmered. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer the soup, stirring frequently and adding additional broth as needed. This should take about 20-30 minutes.
• Finish and serve. Salt and pepper according to taste. Remove the basil leaves, ladle soup into bowls, and drizzle generously with olive oil. Serve garnished with torn pieces of bread and chopped basil.

Pappa al Pomodoro

Tuscan bread soup can be served as a simple meal that will fill you up. You don't even need to serve it with sides, but who doesn’t like a good soup and salad? I love to serve this pappa all pomodoro with salads like this Lemon Parmesan Lettuce Salad and Kale Salad roasted with pistachios.

This soup is also a great appetizer for dinner parties. Serve the soup in small cups to start, and then serve the savory Italian Baked Chicken breasts as a second dish. Negronis are another Italian classic.

After a heavy meal, I prefer something light and refreshing for dessert. I can think of both Baked Pears as well as Citrus Salad.

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The Mediterranean Dish published the first article Pappa al Pomodoro, Italian Bread and Tomato soup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Mediterranean Diet be gluten-free?

Yes, it is possible to adapt the Mediterranean diet to be gluten free. Rather than using whole-grain sources of carbohydrates such as wheat or barley, gluten-free grains such as millet and quinoa can be incorporated into meals. As naturally gluten-free foods, fresh fruits such as melon, pear, beans, legumes or nuts should be included in the diet. If you are intolerant to dairy or milk, it is possible to opt for lactose-free products. For example, porridge can be substituted for oats and baked salmon with potatoes or bean soup as lunch. You could also roast vegetables with herbs for dinner.

Is the Mediterranean Diet expensive?

The Mediterranean diet can be very affordable with readily available ingredients. You can find many staple foods at your local farmers' market or grocery store. But, it can be more expensive to shop for organic products or high-quality protein, as well as special items such extra virgin olive oils. Plan your meals and budget accordingly. Saving money is possible by using leftovers from past meals, and bulk-freezing food such as fish or grains.

Can I have alcohol on the Mediterranean Diet?

It is possible to have moderate amounts of alcohol as part the Mediterranean diet. You should limit your drinking to just one glass per day for men and 1 glass for women. Drinks suitable for this include dry wines and beer as well as spirits made with natural ingredients like vodka, whiskey, or Gin. Because of their high sugar content, avoid heavy spirits like cocktails. Incorporating water or herbal teas into your daily diet can help you stay hydrated and reduce your desire for sugary drinks.

How do I get started on the Mediterranean Diet?

To get started on the Mediterranean diet, begin by stocking your kitchen with fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables. This could mean that you prepare different vegetables and protein every week, which can then be used in recipes the following day. Whole grains such as quinoa, millet, and oat-groats are great alternatives to refined grains. Healthy fats such as olive and sesame should also be included in meal prep to add flavor and nutrition to dishes. Garlic, oregano or basil, turmeric and other seasonings are excellent additions to meals.

Is the Mediterranean diet suitable to people with diabetes?

The Mediterranean Diet is a good choice for those with diabetes. This diet focuses on whole foods, reduces refined sugars, carbs, and emphasizes healthy fats rather than butter or lard. This helps reduce diabetes risk in people who don't already have it. It also controls blood sugar levels and insulin for those with diabetes. Additionally, incorporating light physical activity into this eating style can help regulate and stabilize blood sugar levels with regular exercise! You can make healthy food choices such as substituting white bread for whole-grain bread, or adding nuts to your salads in place of crackers. This will help you to manage many health conditions.

What is a Mediterranean breakfast?

A Mediterranean breakfast would include a combination protein, healthy oil, and carbohydrates. Options can range from eggs cooked in olive oil with a side of roasted vegetables or a salad, Greek yogurt or cheese served with whole-grain toast, or quinoa porridge topped with fresh fruits, nuts, and seeds. Avocado toast with tomatoes and feta cheese is also an excellent option for breakfast. Your day can begin with Mediterranean flavors, such as wild-caught salmon, grass-fed meats and organic eggs. Consider whole grains such quinoa and oatmeal as healthy carbohydrates. Limit sugar by eating fresh fruits and avocados instead of processed yogurts or cereals. Add healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil to your breakfast. Green tea is a great addition for antioxidants.

Statistics

• Choose fat-free or 1% milk, yogurt, and cottage cheese. (my.clevelandclinic.org)
• Other components in tomatoes may help reduce the risk of blood clots, thereby protecting against cardiovascular disease, according to a March 2019 review in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. (everydayhealth.com)
• 1g sugar Benefits Rich in heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats, these nuts may also favourably impact your gut microbiome (and thus improve digestive health) and lower LDL cholesterol, according to a small study that included 18 healthy adults. (everydayhealth.com)
• In one study, the healthiest eaters at age 50 had a nearly 90% lower risk of dementia than those with the least healthy diets. (heart.org)

External Links

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• Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Using a Mediterranean Diet

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• The Mediterranean Diet: From an Environment-Driven Food Culture to an Emerging Medical Prescription - PMC


• Definition of Mediterranean Diet - A Literature Review. PMC

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• (PDF). The Association Between Dietary Patterns AND Insulin Resistance: Systematic Review


• (PDF). Citrus as an ingredient in the Mediterranean diet

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• Health Benefits of Mediterranean Diet: Biochemical and Molecular Mechanisms - PubMed


• PubMed: Cardiovascular Health and the Mediterranean Diet - PubMed

How To

How the Mediterranean Diet Can Help You Lose Weight and Feel Great

The Mediterranean Diet, a dietary pattern that emphasizes healthy fats. Whole grains, legumes, fresh fruit and vegetables are all part of the Mediterranean Diet. It has been shown that it can have numerous health benefits including lower blood lipids, improved glucose management, reduced risk for certain types of cancer and depression, better cardiac and cognitive function, and better weight management. Adopting a Mediterranean diet can be made simpler with some tips. Firstly, start swapping high-calorie snacks such as chips for nutrient-dense vegetables, even if you consume them as appetizers before meals or during exchanges between traditional courses. You can also add spices to your diet, or use other ingredients derived from vegetables, fruits, and nuts. For a better satiety, add legumes and grains to your diet. These steps will help you enjoy your food, while also helping to improve your health.

Resources:

[TAG41] Healthline ranked the Mediterranean Diet number 1 for the following reasons: Numerous studies associate the Mediterranean diet with a reduced risk of heart

[TAG42] Psychology Today reports: Eating more green, leafy vegetables and less red meat were associated with improved cognitive functioning in a recent study of older

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[TAG44] CNBC reports that Joan Salge Blake, Boston University’s clinical professor of nutrition says: “‘Poor protein [intake] can contribute to fatigue, and that’s the

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[TAG61] It’s an easy (and delicious!) change that can turn your diet into a disease-fighting tool.

[TAG62] If you want a free guide to help you start the Mediterranean Diet take a look at https://www.mediterraneandietguidelines.com/ 🌅🍳 Embark on a Mediterranean

[TAG63] There are many misconceptions about the Mediterranean diet. Learn what it really means and how it can help you live a healthier, longer life.

[TAG64] A review article published in the journal Experimental Gerontology describes the utility of Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) in the prevention and management of