Ingredients (serves 4)

• 6-10 fresh tomatos OR 1 can diced tomato
• 25g butter
• 25ml olive oil
• 1 small onion
• 1tsp crushed garlic
• 1 bunch fresh parsley
• 3tsp Vegeta
• 1lt boiled water
• 3/4 cup Dried Tarhana OR CousCous
• 1 Salt & Pepper

Method

1. I have 10 small truss tomatoes I boil starting in cold water. When fully boiled and soft, the skin should peel away. I dice them smaller to fit in the food processor. Alternatively, you can use canned diced tomato, I generally find the 'organic' type to be the best tasting and generally 1 can is enough for a serving of 4.
2. Next, I dice 1 small onion super finely, I dislike eating chunks of onion in soups, so the finer the better
3. Pop a large pot on the heat and add butter and olive oil combined and let it melt/heat. When heated, add the onion and garlic to saute
4. I add the peeled and boiled tomatoes and fresh parsley to a food processor and blend until fine. Caution, let the tomatoes cool before adding
5. Add the tomato and parsley mix to the sauteed onion and garlic in the pot and add the Vegeta (alternatively 1 cube of chicken stock) and mix until simmered down to a thick consistency, in the meantime boil 1 liter of water
6. When the potting mixture has simmered down and thickened, add 1 liter of boiled water, 500ml at a time (you may not need the whole 1 liter at the start)
7. Cook a further 15mins whilst mixing every so often, the water should reduce some more and the mixture should become brighter too.
8. Add more water if required before adding the Tarhana.
9. Add Tarhana a tablespoon at a time, whilst mixing it in at the same time. The Tarhana may stick together if you don't do this, creating lumps of tarhana in the soup. Alternatively add CousCous in lieu of Tarhana.
10. Cook futher until the Tarhana or CousCous is fully cooked, approx. 10-15mins. Salt and Pepper to taste and serve with a garnish of parsley on top.

Notes

A traditional southeastern recipe passed down from generations. My family also requests this soup of me and everyone who's ever tried it loves it.