Quick and Easy Tomato Soup

in this article I will show you how to prepare quick and easy tomato soup.Most tomato soups are simply not tomatoey enough. One solution is tomato paste; it adds the depth that even good fresh tomatoes sometimes lack. If good tomatoes aren’t around about nine months of the year use good quality canned tomatoes. Here are ingredients and easy directions:

QUICK AND EASY TOMATO SOUP

INGREDIENTS :

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil2 tablespoons tomato paste1 large onion, sliced1 carrot, dicedSalt and freshly ground black pepper3 cups peeled, seeded, and chopped tomato (canned is fine; include the juices)1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or ½ teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves2 to 3 cups chicken, beef, or vegetable stock or water1 teaspoon sugar (optional)Chopped fresh parsley or basil leaves for garnish (optional)

DIRECTIONS :

Put the oil in a large, deep pot over medium heat. When hot, add the tomato paste and let it cook for a minute, then add the onion and carrot. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until the onion begins to soften, about 5 minutes.Add the tomato and the herb and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomato breaks up, 10 to 15 minutes. Add the stock, stir, and cook until hot, then adjust the heat and simmer until the flavors meld, about 5 minutes. (At this point, you may refrigerate the soup, covered, for up to 2 days; reheat before proceeding.) Taste and adjust the seasoning; if the soup tastes flat, stir in the sugar. If the mixture is too thick, add a little more stock or water. Garnish with the herbs and serve.

Recipe makes 4 servings

Preparation time is 30 minutes. 

…more Ways to Prepare Tomato Soup:

Puréed Tomato Soup Recipe

Increase the tomato to 4 cups and reduce the stock to 1 cup. When the soup is done, purée it carefully in a blender, with an immersion blender, or through a food mill. Reheat, garnish, and serve.

Cream of Tomato Soup Recipe

Substitute butter for the olive oil and use the proportions in the preceding variation, substituting 1 cup cream or half-and-half for the stock, added just before puréeing.

Wintertime Tomato Soup Recipe

Substitute 1 cup (loosely packed; about 2 ounces) dried tomatoes (preferably the kind not packed in oil) and 1 large can (28 ounces) whole peeled tomatoes for the fresh tomatoes. Soak the dried tomatoes in 1 cup boiling water until softened. Remove the canned tomatoes from their juice and chop them. Add the reserved tomato juice with the tomato paste and cook until reduced by half, stirring frequently. Proceed with the recipe, adding the dried tomato water along with the stock.

Tomato and Bread Soup Recipe

Brush both sides of 4 thick slices Italian or French bread (slightly stale is fine) with extra virgin olive oil; broil or grill until nicely browned and crisp. Rub a large clove garlic on each slice of bread if you like. Break or cut the bread into pieces and pour the finished soup over the top. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan.

Tomato Garlic Soup Recipe

Add 2 tablespoons chopped garlic along with the onion or 8 to 10 cloves Roasted Garlic

Follow the directions and you will be amazed how good this soup recipe is. Enjoy the soup and Bon Apetit.