I've been enjoying roasted tomato soups at Corner Bakery and Paradise Bakery the last few months and wanted to try a recipe at home. I based this recipe off of one by Ina Garten and then just a few adjustments I thought would make it taste more like the soup at Corner Bakery.
Ingredients
- 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) (I only put in 1 sweet onion, 2 seemed like a lot)
- 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
Directions
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. (I also sprinkled the tomatoes with sugar and added some basil leaves)
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 (I peeled the skins off the tomatoes at this point), 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. (I just used my food processor) Taste for seasonings. Serve hot or cold.
The Verdict:
I really liked it, it wasn't quite Corner Bakery but I'm not sure yet what it needs different. I'll probably make it again in a double batch and try and freeze extra. Joshua and Avery liked the soup, but also like to eat it when they go out with me. Ethan did not like it stating it "had too many spices." Michael said it was good, and used it to dip his grilled cheese. He never seems to do well with the texture of soup just by itself.
