tomato soup

[solarbird]

Here, for no reason really at all, please have this tomato soup recipe I saw on seattle in the comments section a few months ago. Original recipe, then my minor modifications underneath:

Tomato Soup

2 large cans diced tomatoes
1/2 cup fresh basil
1 cup heavy cream
salt
pepper

Put tomatoes into a large pot, juice included. Chiffonade fresh basil (about 1/2 c) and add to pot.

Cook over medium heat until the tomatoes begin to break down, add the heavy cream and salt and pepper to taste. Let the cream reduce a bit with the tomatoes. Simmmer on medium low, stirring to keep from burning, for about 15 min.

I add powdered garlic (about 1t, but really, to taste), add no salt (it doesn't need it), use a lot of mixed-peppercorn fresh-ground pepper (I have a white/black/red mix I put together myself), and whole milk instead of heavy cream. And I think I use a bit more basil than they do, but nothing crazy.

It freezes pretty well. It's not as good as immediately off the stovetop once frozen and microwaved, but you wouldn't expect that, and it's still quite good, and better (I think) than the canned soups. As described, the recipe doesn't reduce the tomato to nothing, so it has more of a feeling of substance to it than the usual canned tomato soup.

Comments

[cheryl-f.livejournal.com]

Sounds scrumptious. I'll show the little Scotsman your recipe. (I'm not allowed serious work in the kitchen - cuts & burns happen too frequently)

[hubbit.livejournal.com]

This looks interesting. Fresh soups in general are far better than canned; ever open a can of vegetable soup and look at the vegetables? Removal marks for brown spots are plainly visible, as is the fact that the manufacturers use "commodity" bottom-shelf veggies. Ick.

There are some frozen soups (specifically thinking Tabatchnick, a kosher brand) that are extremely good, but pricy.

Edited to correct the spelling of 'Tabatchnick'...why couldn't they have called it 'Smith'? :D

[westrider.livejournal.com]

I regret to inform you that I've actually acquired a mild eating disorder from one of your posts last week. Now, most times when I'm eating, a small voice in the back of my head starts going ANGANGANGANGANGANGANG, and then I start laughing and spray bits of food everywhere ;)

[solarbird]

I love it when a plan comes together.

[jessicac.livejournal.com]

A touch of basalmic vinegar would probably be lovely in this...

[solarbird]

You think so? Hm. Try it and let me know. ^_^