Description
Ina Garten’s tomato basil soup blends creamy richness with garden-fresh ingredients. Comforting flavors meld together, creating a classic dish perfect for chilly evenings or elegant dinner parties.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 lbs (1.36 kg) ripe plum tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise
- 1 (28 oz) (794 g) canned plum tomatoes, with their juice
- 4 cups (120 g) fresh basil leaves, packed
- 1 qt (946 ml) chicken stock or water
- 2 cups (300 g) chopped yellow onions (2 onions)
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup plus 2 tbsps (90 ml) good olive oil
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 ½ tsps freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
- Roasting Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Toss whole tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and black pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 45 minutes until deeply caramelized and intensely flavored.
- Aromatic Base: In a large stockpot, sauté onions, garlic, butter, and red pepper flakes over medium heat for 10 minutes until onions turn golden and release a sweet fragrance.
- Liquid Integration: Combine roasted tomatoes, canned tomatoes, basil leaves, thyme, and chicken stock into the pot. Merge all ingredients thoroughly, allowing the caramelized pan juices to infuse maximum depth.
- Flavor Development: Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 40 minutes, concentrating flavors and creating a rich, harmonious blend.
- Texture Refinement: Puree the soup using a food mill or blender until smooth and velvety. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance the overall taste profile.
- Serving Suggestion: Present soup piping hot or chilled, optionally garnishing with fresh herbs or a cream drizzle for added elegance.
Notes
- Roast Tomatoes Strategically: Caramelize tomatoes at high heat to unlock deep, concentrated flavor and enhance natural sweetness, creating a rich taste foundation for the soup.
- Sauté Aromatics Patiently: Brown onions and garlic slowly to develop complex, sweet undertones that provide depth and complexity to the soup’s overall taste profile.
- Blend with Precision: Use a food mill or blender to achieve silky-smooth texture, ensuring no chunks disrupt the soup’s luxurious consistency.
- Temperature Flexibility: Enjoy the soup hot for comforting warmth or chilled for a refreshing summer alternative, making it a versatile recipe for any season.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 5mg