(Image source from: Rainy day soup)

It's raining and you have just arrived home completely wet and the cold air passing is making your body chill. You want something instant and piping hot that will make you feel warm internally. Try this rainy day soup which hardly takes 20 minutes for preparation.

Ingredients:

Fennel bulb (200-250 gm)

Olive oil (1 tbsp)

Finely chopped onion (1 small size)

Minced garlic (1 medium size)

Zest of one lemon

Red Chili flakes (a pinch)

Chicken or vegetable stock (1 cup)

Milk (1/ 2 cup)

Salt and pepper to taste

Tomato puree (1 cup)

Croutons for garnishing

Methods:

Finely chop the bulbs. Discard the unused portions.

Heat oil in a pan. Add chopped onions and cook till pale.

Add garlic, chili flakes, and zest into the pan. Stir and cook for about a minute.

Add the fennel bulb and cook for another minute.

Pour the stock and bring it to boil.

Let the mixture cool and blend it in grinder.

Pour the smooth mixture into the pan. Add milk, stir and bring it to boil.

Turn off the heat.

Season it with salt and pepper and garnish with croutons.

- Smrutirekha