Tomato soup and grilled cheese is perhaps my most favourite quick comfort meal. There is just something about coming home after a long day or rainy day, to a big bowl of soup. Or even when you're having a cozy night in, wrapped up in a blanket on the sofa, watching your favorite TV shows.
I adore soup. Any soup. I do lean towards the vegetable soups more as i am personally not a big meat eater, but i am partial to a hot chicken soup! Yummy.
This soups is;
Creamy
Rich
Filling
Wholesome
Comforting
Delicious
Full of flavour
Why it is important to use fresh ingredients
For me, flavour and texture is the number one thing that i look for trying any dish or experiment with different foods. When i go to a restaurant even, the food can smell incredibly well, however if the texture is not nice, then it can be extremely off putting.
I find then when i cook with fresh ingredients (i.e not frozen or canned foods), the taste is more intense and flavorful. Now i know this is just a tomato soup, but that one bowl of tomato soup is what makes my day sometimes! Its a bowl of yummy goodness!
List of ingredients;
Basil - Most of the time i use fresh basil for this soup. Fresh meaning, not frozen or dried. Using dried basil does work but it is no comparison to using fresh. The smell and strength of flavour is a lot better with fresh basil.
Tomatoes - This is down to personal preference. I love vine tomatoes (sugar drops to be exact). I find that they have a less bitter and much more sweeter taste then say a salad or plum tomato. Use whichever tomato you enjoy eating.
Onions - I really love using red onions for my tomato soup. It just tastes incredibly good. It adds the slightest hint of sweetness, yet does not overpower the dish.
Garlic - Garlic always tastes best fresh. I have used garlic puree before and it doesn't have the same zing to it.
Olive Oil - If you want to opt for a skinnier soup, then extra virgin olive oil is great. Tastes the same! I love using Filippo Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Cream - If you're like me and enjoy a creamier soup then i would recommend to add cream. I add a little over my soup when serving.
Cornflour - Adding corn flour into the soup will help thicken it to whatever consistency you prefer. I like my soup thick but not too thick that its tough to swallow! You also can completely skip this step if you prefer a thinner soup.
Salt & Pepper - The fresher the better with seasoning i feel! Sea salt and cracked black pepper, can't go wrong.
Should you skin the tomatoes?
I typically leave the skin on the tomatoes and keep the seeds in as well, but feel free to remove both if you’d like. It’s really about your preference.
How to customize the tomato & basil soup
While this fresh tomato basil soup recipe is vegan and dairy free, there are tons of delicious ways to make it even creamier and richer.
Add some whole milk or heavy cream for a super creamy texture.
Keep this tomato basil soup vegan & dairy free by adding dairy-free cream or light coconut milk.
Add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for tangy, cheesy goodness.
Add a tablespoon or two of butter or vegan butter for even richer flavor.
Or my personal favourite, oil & dried herb mix sprinkle.
Recipe
Rich and comforting roasted tomato soup with a creamy top!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 2
Author: Zainab
Ingredients:
680g tomatoes
1 large red onion
4 garlic cloves
Handful of basil leaves
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
120ml-240ml water or vegetarian broth, depending on how thick you want the soup
Salt & pepper to taste
Optional add ins:
Light/Regular coconut milk for a creamy vegan soup
Whole dairy milk/heavy cream for a creamy texture
Parmesan cheese, for a tangy, flavor enhancing flavour
A tablespoon or two of butter, for richer flavor
1 tablespoon of oil and 1 teaspoon of dried herbs mixed, for a herby rich flavour
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 205C/400F.
2. Wash and pat dry the tomatoes. Peel the garlic cloves and chop them in half. Peel the onion and chop them into four quarters and separate the layers. Add the tomatoes, onion layers garlic cloves and basil leaves into a non-stick roasting tin, or a baking tin lined with parchment paper.
3. Add the olive oil to the tin with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Give it a little loss using your hands or a large spoon and roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes.
4. Once the tomatoes, garlic, onions and basil leaves are roasted, add them to a food processor or high powered blender and blend until smooth.
5. Next, add the blended mix to a large pan and add in the water. Cook on a low-medium heat for about 10 minutes. **see notes for addition information about thickening the soup etc.
6. To serve, garnish with cream and Italian herb oil and serve with grilled cheese, if desired!
7. Enjoy! 😁
Notes
Hope you all enjoyed this recipe! If you do use this recipe be sure to tag me. My Instagram Page is: Bakewithzainab.
Also be sure to comment down below with any questions you may have.
Lots of love
Zainab xx
© Bake With Zainab – Zainab Moughal. I own all content and photos’ copyright. Before using my photos and recipes, please email me. If you would like to republish a recipe, please link back to this post and re-write the instructions in your own words.
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