Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
This recipe transforms ripe plum tomatoes into a rich, flavorful soup by first roasting them to enhance their natural sweetness. It then combines them with sautéed aromatics, canned tomatoes, fresh basil, and chicken stock, simmering until the flavors meld beautifully. The soup is finally passed through a food mill for a silky-smooth texture, resulting in a comforting and elegant dish perfect served hot or cold.
Equipment
- 1 Baking Sheet Large enough to spread tomatoes in a single layer
- 1 8-Quart Stockpot For simmering the soup
- 1 Food Mill For a smooth, seed-free consistency
- 1 Chef's knife
- 1 Cutting Board
Ingredients
Main
- 3 pounds ripe plum tomatoes cut in half lengthwise
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons good olive oil
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups chopped yellow onions 2 onions
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 28-ounce canned plum tomatoes, with their juice
- 4 cups fresh basil leaves packed
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 quart chicken stock or water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Toss together the tomatoes, 1/4 cup olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread the tomatoes in 1 layer on a baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes.
- In an 8-quart stockpot over medium heat, saute the onions and garlic with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the butter, and red pepper flakes for 10 minutes, until the onions start to brown. Add the canned tomatoes, basil, thyme, and chicken stock. Add the oven-roasted tomatoes, including the liquid on the baking sheet. Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered for 40 minutes. Pass through a food mill fitted with the coarsest blade. Taste for seasonings. Serve hot or cold.
Notes
The cornerstone of this soup's rich flavor is the roasted tomatoes; their caramelization creates incredible depth. Ensure you use ripe plum tomatoes for optimal sweetness. While the recipe calls for a food mill, which yields a smooth, skin- and seed-free consistency, an immersion blender can be used for a slightly thicker, rustic soup. Be sure to taste and adjust seasonings at the very end, as flavors intensify during simmering. For an elevated presentation and fresh herbaceous note, garnish each serving with a few fresh basil leaves and a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil.