COMFORT and GOODNESS in a bowl. Tomato soup contains vitamins E, A, C, and K, essential minerals, and antioxidants that can keep you healthy.
Plus, one of the most popular types of comfort food combinations is soup and sandwiches. And one of the most popular soup/sandwich combinations is tomato soup and grilled cheese. For my Vintage Classics episode on GHL, I prepared Creamy Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese with farm-fresh bread, cured French ham, and aged cheddar. I combined a mix of fresh ripe San Marzano plum tomatoes and canned San Marzano tomatoes for the ultimate tomato soup. During peak harvest season, when there is a plentiful supply of fresh farm tomatoes, I would use all fresh, but during shoulder seasons, I will mix them with high-quality San Marzano canned tomatoes.
Once all your ingredients are assembled, comfort can be achieved in about thirty minutes. Mmm Mmm, Good!!!
George’s Creamy Tomato Soup
Makes 6-8 servings
chefgeorgehirsch.com | George Hirsch Lifestyle
5 large ripe San Marzano Plum tomatoes, deseeded and chopped
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 medium sweet onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, chopped
2 Tablespoons sweet butter
2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
2-4 fresh basil leaves, torn into small pieces
2- 15-ounce cans of crushed San Marzano tomatoes
4 cups chicken broth
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon each dried thyme, basil
hot sauce, sea salt, and pepper to taste
Optional: 1 cup half-and-half
Preheat a large 4-quart soup pot.
Add olive oil, onion, garlic, and fresh plum tomatoes. Stir and sweat for 5 minutes over medium heat. Add the butter; when melted, add the flour, stir, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add in the canned San Marzano tomatoes, stir, and simmer for 5 minutes.
Add the chicken broth, bay leaves, thyme, and dried basil, and simmer for 5 minutes.
Add fresh basil and simmer for five additional minutes.
Remove bay leaves and take the soup off the stove. For a creamier soup, use a food pulser and puree slightly, leaving a few chunks of tomatoes. Return to the stove, bring it back to a boil, and add the optional half-and-half.
Lower the heat and simmer for 2 minutes.
Add hot sauce, sea salt, and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
Served topped with crunchy croutons and a few drops of olive oil.
