Skin and cut the tomatoes into quarters. Peel and chop the onion and garlic. Cut the carrot into small cubes. Remove the leaves from the thyme sprigs.
Heat the olive oil in a soup pan and fry the onion, garlic and carrot for 5 minutes on low heat. Add the tomato paste and thyme and fry for 2 minutes on medium heat while stirring.
Add the tomatoes, water and stock cubes, bring to the boil and let the soup simmer, covered, for 10-15 minutes.
Puree the soup with the hand blender, taste and season with pepper. Add the protein powder if preferred.
Optional to serve with meatballs and toasted cheese sandwich pieces.
notes
Vegan: use vegan protein powder (I use soy protein).Seasoning: salt and pepper.