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.
AS SEEN ON PUBLIC TELEVISION & CREATE TV- SEASON ONE
FEATURING CHEF GEORGE HIRSCH DEMONSTRATING HIS SAVORY COOKING, BAKING AND GRILLING RECIPES; WITH HIS EXPERT CULINARY TIPS & TECHNIQUES, ALONG WITH VISITS TO HIS INSPIRING HAMPTON LOCATIONS.
LIMITED OFFER, LIMITED EDITION, signed by Chef George.
From the original Grilling TV Series host, 200 Fabulous Recipe—Celebrating the joyous rituals of sharing food at year-round festivities, the star of PBS's Grilling with Chef George Hirsch provides a wealth of recipes and ideas for great party foods, plus advance preparation tips to ease the strain of last minute chores.
Hardcover: 310 pages
Publisher: Hearst Books-HarperCollins; 1St edition (June 12, 1995)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0688142257
ISBN-13: 978-0688142254
Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 8.1 x 1.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
This easy to live with lifestyle plan; with more than 165 of George's easy-to-prepare gourmet recipes, you can lose weight, maintain energy, look better, and enjoy a longer active life, by eating great food!
M.Evans and Company, Inc.
George Starts your year off right!
George Hirsch Living it UP
Recipes for a Healthy Active Life
Product Details
Hardcover: 240 pages; $24.95
Publisher: M. Evans and Company, Inc.; 2000
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0871319241
ISBN-13: 978-0871319241
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
Creative Cooking tips
Fast Easy recipes that allow for an active lifestyle
A 30-Day Menu Plan you can adapt throughout the year
Support and motivation for staying on a healthy eating & exercise routine
Tips for easy food shopping & eating healthy on the run
Each book is personally autographed by George Hirsch.
