Saturday, 6 August 2016

Luscious and Creamy Tomato Soup

I love tomato soup.  I cannot stand the consistency of tomatoes, however they have an amazing taste.  This is all that wonderful taste.

3 T olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 celery sticks, chopped
1 C carrots, chopped
1 bay leaf
1 large sprig fresh thyme
1½lb ripe plum or vine-ripened tomatoes, roughly chopped
½ tsp sugar
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 C passata
2 C vegetable stock
1/2 C single cream or low-fat crème fraîche
splash dry sherry
crusty bread and butter, to serve

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan and cook the onion for 5-6 minutes over a gentle heat until almost softened but not browned. Add the garlic, celery, carrots, bay leaf and thyme and cook for a further 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, making sure the vegetables don't stick to the base of the pan.

Add the chopped tomatoes and sugar and season well with salt and pepper. Cook for a few minutes, then stir in the passata and vegetable stock. Bring to a simmer, cover with a lid and cook for 35-40 minutes, until all the vegetables are tender.

Remove the bay leaf and thyme, then blend the soup in a liquidizer or food processor. This will probably have to be done in two batches. Pour the soup into a clean saucepan, passing it through a sieve if you want it really smooth. Stir in the cream, a splash of sherry and extra seasoning if required.

Pour into large mugs or bowls and serve with fresh crusty buttered bread.

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