I don’t know about you but I was never a tomato soup fan. Maybe it’s the fact that I was totally turned off by that crappy tomato soup that comes out of a can. If you can even call that soup.
Grilled cheese and tomato soup. They go together like a peanut butter and jelly, right? Well that wasn’t that case for me until I made it from scratch.
And when I say scratch I mean scratch. Home grown tomatoes. They’re still growing here in Pennsylvania. I won’t have many more but I sure am glad they lasted this long.
I had to wait months for fresh tomatoes so you see why I’m so elated about this. I really haven’t even made everything I’ve wanted to yet. And now pumpkin, squash and apple season are upon us. Oh well. I do the best I can with the time that I have.
A year ago or so I decided to try tomato soup at a restaurant and feel in love. I had to come home and try to duplicate it. My first variation used canned tomatoes.
This version I used fresh for a couple reasons. Fresh is best. Fresh is abundant. Fresh makes me happy.
There are my top 3 reasons for making tomato soup with fresh tomatoes. I knew you always wanted to know. *smile*
Just say it. Shut up Mel and get on with the recipe.
OK. Here it is. Hope you’ll try it!
Blessings and love,
Melanie
Fresh Tomato Basil Soup
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 red onion finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 4 lbs fresh Roma tomatoes
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp fresh oregano or 3/4 tsp dried
- 3/4 cup half and half
- 3 Tbsp fresh basil leaves chopped or 1 tsp dried basil
- Fresh Parmesan cheese
- Croutons
Instructions
- In a large stock pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add red onion, cook stirring occasionally until tender, about 10 minutes. Add garlic, cook for 1 minute longer.
- Blanch and peel tomatoes. Chop tomatoes and add to onion mixture.
- Add chicken broth, salt and pepper.
- Bring the soup to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer, uncovered, for 30 to 40 minutes, until the tomatoes are very tender.
- Use an immersion blender to puree the soup in the pot, or transfer soup to a food processor or blender to blend.
- You may also take the extra step to run through a food mill to get rid of seeds. I did this extra step because it's worth it to me for the smoothness.
- Transfer back the pot. Add oregano, basil and half and half. Heat until warmed through. Serve with toppings of fresh Parmesan and croutons. Enjoy!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
Tomato soup is one of my favorite soups, and I especially love it fresh! Yours looks great!
Melanie says
Thanks fellow tomato soup lover. 🙂
José Carlos says
Second time I’ve made this soup and it’s so yummy! My wife loves it and even our daughter who’s a picky eater! So worth it!
Melanie says
Awesome review Jose`! Thanks so much for coming back and letting me know. Glad everyone enjoys it.