The Ultimate Tomato Soup

A bowl of tomato soup garnished with sliced bacon, basil leaves and a touch of cream

 

 

A bowl of tomato soup garnished with sliced bacon, basil leaves and a touch of cream

 

Take Comfort in this Tomato Soup

In terms of comfort, I can’t think of anything more soothing than a big bowl of tomato soup and some grilled cheese sandwiches.  Every bite feels like a cuddle with a baby or a puppy.

When I’m in the dire need of cheering up, this is the soup recipe I turn to for the ultimate tomato soup. A soup that covers all the bases with its sweet, slightly smokey depth of flavor and comforting warmth.

This soup recipe conjures up satisfying memories of childhood lunches past in a simpler, less insane world.  Plus as added bonus for this tomato soup is that every bowl is garnished with bacon.

Bacon, as we all know, is one of the many ways God shines his love down unto us.  How can anyone turn down a big bowl of liquid comfort sprinkled with the symbols of God’s love?

Now I know that Indulging in your favorite comfort food will likely not solve all, or even any, of the world’s problems and God knows we have a lot of those lately.

However, it just might make you feel better.  Better enough to calm your stress, soothe your emotions and collect your thoughts about what to do next and how to overcome your troubles.

 

 

 

A bowl of tomato soup garnished with sliced bacon, basil leaves and a touch of cream

 

 

bacon frying in pot
Cook the bacon and remove from pan.
diced vegetables sauteing in pot
Saute diced vegetables in the bacon grease until soft.
flour and vegetables cooking in pot
Add a tablespoon of flour and cook for 1-2 min.
vegetables, chicken broth and tomatoes cooking in pot
Add chicken broth and stewed tomatoes, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes.
Fresh basil leaves atop tomato soup
Add sugar and fresh basil leaves.
pureed tomato soup with cream
Add 100ml of cream and cook for 2-3 minutes of low heat then serve.
A bowl of tomato soup garnished with sliced bacon, basil leaves and a touch of cream
Garnish with a drizzle of cream, bits of bacon and fresh basil leaves. TIP: toss leftover soup with cooked macaroni for homemade Spaghetti Oh’s. Sprinkle red chili flakes on top for an extra kick.

 

 

 

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A bowl of tomato soup garnished with sliced bacon, basil leaves and a touch of cream

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup with Bacon & Red Pepper


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  • Author: Spicepaw
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 4-6 1x

Description

This is the ultimate tomato soup made with red bell pepper and fresh basil then finished off with a touch of cream. This soup has it all! #soup #bacon #tomato #comfortfood


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 strips of streaky bacon
  • 1 medium onion (finely diced)
  • 34 cloves of garlic (minced)
  • 1 medium carrot (finely diced)
  • 1/2 red bell pepper (finely diced)
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 23 stalks of celery with leaves (about 1/2 cup finely chopped)
  • 1 tbsp flour
  • 34 cups (700 ml-1 Liter) chicken broth
  • 2 * 14 oz/400 g cans of stewed tomatoes (chopped or whole, either is fine)
  • 12 handfuls of fresh basil (about 1/2 cup chopped)
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 3 oz (100 ml) heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Cook 3 strips of bacon in a large pot over medium/low heat.
  2. When crispy and brown, remove from pot and set aside. Leaving, the bacon grease in the pot, add diced onion, minced garlic, diced carrot, diced red pepper and chopped celery.  Season with salt, pepper and smoked paprika. Cook on medium/low heat until vegetables are soft.
  3. Add flour, stir and cook for 1-2 minutes.
  4. Add chicken broth and tomatoes and stir together.  Increase heat to high and bring to a boil.  Once bubbly, reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 20-30 minutes.
  5. After 30 min has passed, add the basil and sugar.  Puree with an immersion blender, food processor or blender.
  6. Return to stovetop and let cook together for 2-3 minutes then add a touch of cream, stir and cook for 1-2 minutes longer.
  7. Cut cooked bacon into strips or into smaller pieces, whichever you prefer.
  8. Turn off heat, transfer to bowls and garnish with a drizzle of cream, a sprinkling of bacon and fresh basil.  Serve with your favorite toasted sandwiches and enjoy!
  • Prep Time: 20
  • Cook Time: 30
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: simmering
  • Cuisine: Western

More comfort food recipes to help cheer you up:

Healing Chicken Bone Broth made with Fresh Herbs

Red Pepper and Tomato Pasta Bake with Meatballs

Pub-Style Steak and Ale Pie made with Stout

 

Author: Natasha

I'm just a busy expat mom who has a psychological need to feed people. I enjoy learning about new cultures, (especially the food) and enjoy experimenting with new ingredients and spices

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