Description
Home cooks discover Ina Garten’s creamy tomato bisque as a luxurious comfort soup that balances rich flavors with fresh ingredients. Smooth, velvety textures and aromatic herbs promise a delightful culinary experience you’ll savor with each spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 tbsps / 45g unsalted butter
- 3 (28-oz / 800g) cans crushed tomatoes, preferably San Marzano
- 4 cups / 950ml whole milk
- 2 cups / 475ml heavy cream
- 1½ cups / 225g chopped yellow onion (1 large)
- 1 cup / 150g chopped leek (white and light green parts, spun-dried)
- ¾ cup / 120g chopped shallots (2 large)
- 1 tbsp good olive oil
- ½ tsp saffron threads
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Grated Italian Parmesan cheese, for garnish
- Minced fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In an expansive pot, melt butter with olive oil over medium-low heat. Introduce chopped yellow onions, shallots, and leeks, gently cooking until vegetables become soft and translucent, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Build Flavor Profile: Pour in crushed tomatoes, whole milk, and heavy cream. Sprinkle saffron threads, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir ingredients thoroughly to create a harmonious blend.
- Simmer and Develop Texture: Bring the mixture to a delicate boil, then reduce heat. Allow the bisque to gently simmer uncovered, stirring intermittently to prevent burning and ensure consistent thickness. Continue cooking for 30-40 minutes until the soup reaches a creamy consistency.
- Refine and Serve: Remove from heat and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper. Transfer the bisque into elegant serving bowls, garnishing with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and finely chopped parsley for a sophisticated presentation.
Notes
- Soften Vegetables Slowly: Take time to gently cook onions, shallots, and leeks until translucent to develop a rich, sweet flavor base without browning.
- Prevent Scorching: Stir soup frequently during simmering to avoid burning, which can create bitter undertones and ruin the delicate creamy texture.
- Control Simmering Heat: Maintain a low, gentle simmer to allow ingredients to meld harmoniously and develop deep, complex flavors without aggressive boiling.
- Adjust Seasoning Carefully: Taste and season gradually, as Parmesan cheese and initial salt levels can impact the final taste profile of the bisque.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 24g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 122mg