‘Oprah Winfrey’ Articles at Sweetnicks

A clean-eating, tummy-warming soup that is a perfect lunch or, when coupled with grilled cheese, a comfort food-style dinner. This Rustic Tomato Soup has been making repeat rotations in our kitchen.

I was at Costco a few weeks ago, and spied Oprah’s new cookbook, Food, Health & Happiness. They’re not really her recipes, but rather recipes from her favorite six chefs and, since she’s on Weight Watchers right now, they are, of course, all Weight Watchers friendly.

I am not on Weight Watchers, and have seriously pared down my once-crazy cookbook collection, but despite this, the cookbook ended up coming home with me nonetheless.

Apparently resistance is futile.

It was hard not to be drawn in by the photography, the smell of the printed page (some paper used for printing have a distinct smell), and the rustic theme of the recipes. Also, after a quick scan of the various dishes throughout the book, I noticed that I could make many of them Whole30 or clean-eating friendly, which is kind of what sold me, because that’s where I’m at these days.

Focusing on continued clean eating with the occasional treat day.

And so here we are with this Rustic Tomato Soup. So simple to make, and so good for you. It’s absolutely the way tomato soup should taste. Like the tomato soup of your dreams. Now if you’re not eating clean, this begs to be topped with thick cut crispy croutons or eaten with grilled cheese dippers. Just sayin’.

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One of the great things about being a blogger is that I can land in virtually any city and easily find a dining parter. Such was the case when I arrived in Atlanta on Sunday night, with a free evening ahead of me. I e-mailed Chris from Melecotte and asked if she was free for dinner. Luckily, she was, otherwise I might never have discovered Two Urban Licks in Atlanta.

Chris and I have worked together online over the years, but this was our first time meeting in person. As she took me to a very non-descript industrial section of town, replete with rows and rows of warehouses, I briefly wondered what I had gotten myself into. Pulling into the parking lot, you never would have guessed that a restaurant waited behind those huge garage bay doors.

Inside, the restaurant has such a cool vibe. Darkly lit. Red lights. Urban. As soon as we walked through the threshold, it instantly smelled like smoke and fire. Which is a very good thing.

The wait staff is engaging, attentive and super friendly. We didn’t want for anything. Our waitress walked that perfect balance between meeting our needs and not being overbearing Since Chris had been there before, I went with her recommendations when ordering. We started with the Smoked Salmon Chips, which turned out to be my favorite food item during my Atlanta trip, bar none. Love the presentation. Fried chip. Short smoked salmon with chipotle cream cheese. Capers. Red onions. Chives. A-ma-zing. I mean, really, just look at that picture.

A little Googling turned up the recipe. I could swear the smoked salmon was served on wonton chips, but from the looks of the recipe, it appears not. I’ll definitely be making it, but I am going to try the fried wonton chip route first. The Smoked Salmon Chips are such a popular recipe item that the restaurant has a dedicated kitchen staffer just for making them.

The restaurant features an open kitchen, which I adore, and the food could not have come out quicker.

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Recipe: Rustic Tomato Soup

Review: Two Urban Licks, Atlanta, GA