Classic Tomato Soup
Feel free to tweak this recipe based on your own preferences and what you have on hand. Substitute chicken broth for the vegetable broth, add basil or thyme, use all olive oil to make it vegan, or add a little cream at the end in addition to the butter.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter (divided)
- 1 yellow onion (chopped) approximately 1 to 1 1/4 cups
- 1 large clove of garlic (smashed) or 2 small
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 can (28 oz) whole peeled tomatoes or 2 smaller cans (14 oz/400 g)
- 2 cups vegetable or chicken stock
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon honey or sugar or to taste
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon pepper or to taste
- pinch cayenne or crushed red pepper
Instructions
- Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a Dutch oven or large heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté for approximately 3 minutes until beginning to soften. Add the garlic clove and cook for an additional 3 minutes until the onions are very soft and are turning brown and fragrant. Add flour and cook for an additional 30 seconds until the onions are evenly coated.
- Add the tomatoes, 2 cups broth, ½ cup water, honey or sugar, salt, pepper and cayenne (if using). Stir to combine and increase the heat to medium-high. Bring to low boil and then reduce the heat to low so it is barely simmering. Cover and let simmer for 15-20 minutes until the tomatoes are breaking down, stirring occasionally. (You can add a little more broth or water if needed.)
- Remove from heat and use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Taste for seasonings and add more honey/sugar, salt, pepper or cayenne if desired. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Serve immediately or let cool and refrigerate for later use. Reheat gently on the stove, adding more broth (or water) as needed.
Notes
Note: You can puree the soup in batches in a regular blender if desired:
How to Safely Puree Hot Soup in Blender
- Allow the soup to cool for a few minutes before blending. ...
- Remove the center cap from the lid of your blender.
- Fill blender halfway. ...
- Place a towel over the top of the blender. ...
- Blend the soup.
- Pour pureed soup into a pot of bowl.
- Repeat with remaining soup.