I really, really dislike tomato soup and have never even tried it because the smell makes me cringe and I think the concept of it is just gross.
Really. Its not normal! To basically be sucking down squished tomatoes?? What if people ate beans or peas or cabbage like that?
Uh, never mind that last thought.
I wanted to make the kids grilled cheese for lunch, but also thought I could make it extra special if I made them some tomato soup. I dont need to pass on my phobias to them right? And isnt that what normal, non phobia driven people eat with grilled cheese on a cold winters day?
So I did a google search and ended up here...
I love it! The recipe was set up for beginners to follow so people like me could do it. :)
The thing I loved about this recipe is that it is designed to use canned tomatoes, which I just happen to have a TON of.
She gives great instructions on her link, so be sure to click there is you want a more in-depth tutorial!
- 4 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 medium onion (about 1 cup) - chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic (about 2 teaspoons) - minced or crushed
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 cans of whole tomatoes packed in juice (28 ounce)
- 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
- 3 slices of large sandwich bread (crusts removed and cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 2 cups of chicken stock
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it is shimmering
Add the onion, garlic, and bay leaf.
Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Stir in the tomatoes and their juice. Using potato masher, mash until no pieces bigger than 2 inches remain.
Stir in sugar and bread; bring soup to boil.
Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until the bread is completely saturated and starts to break down, about 5 minutes.
Remove and discard bay leaf.
Transfer half of soup to blender.
Add 1 tablespoon oil and process until soup is smooth and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to large bowl and repeat with remaining soup and oil.
Rinse out the pot you cooked the soup in and return the soup to the pot.
Stir in up to 2 cups of chicken (or vegetable) broth until soup reaches desired thickness.
Return soup to boil and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Optional garnishes include chopped parsley, fresh chopped basil or croutons.
***
I added about a tablespoon of heavy cream to thicken it up. I wanted the kids to be able to dip their grilled cheese, and that heavy cream was a wonderful addition.
I thought this soup was FANTASTIC.
I dont even like tomato soup. Well. I can not even say that anymore. I LOVE tomato soup! This tasted like velvety savory goodness and I cant believe I have spent so many years without it!
This recipe is easy, quick, and SO, so yummy. I would highly recommend trying it.
After all, it did cure me of my phobia. :)
Looks yummy! I don't like regular tomato soup either. My mom has a recipe similar to this one. I will have to compare.
Posted by: Liz | January 04, 2010 at 02:50 PM
It looks yummy! I've never made homemade Tomato soup before...we just do the canned kind...but you HAVE to make the canned kind with milk, not water, thats gross. My kids all LOVE tomato soup. Sometime I'll try this recipe.
Posted by: Renee | January 04, 2010 at 03:02 PM
Your photography is phenomenal!! I don't like tomato soup that much either, but looking at your photos makes me want!
Posted by: Jessica @ How Sweet It Is | January 04, 2010 at 03:04 PM
Looks awesome because,"Baby, it's cold outside!"
Posted by: Melissa T. | January 04, 2010 at 03:20 PM
I also cannot stand tomato soup. I just makes me...ugh. Maybe I'll try this sometime instead!
Posted by: jenney | January 04, 2010 at 03:24 PM
Really? You got past it just by making it? I don't think I'd succeed. I don't like tomato soup, but what I really don't like is ketchup! Bleh! Having a very large bottle fall off the top shelf of the refridgerator and get allllll over me did not cure me of disliking it anymore either. But maybe if I made it myself.... Nah, probably not!
Posted by: Ruth | January 04, 2010 at 03:30 PM
I love homeade tomato soup, but I just haven't found "the" recipe. I'm so gonna try this one!
Posted by: Bethany | January 04, 2010 at 03:30 PM
Great minds must think alike! I just googled tomatoe soup last night and had found the same recipe to make! ...only I've always loved tomatoe soup! My mom hated tomatoes but didn't want her kids to, so she'd fix it with grilled cheese sandwiches! Perfect for these blustery cold days!
Posted by: Londa | January 04, 2010 at 03:36 PM
Wow--I have no idea why I added that e in tomato...frozen brain?
Posted by: Londa | January 04, 2010 at 03:37 PM
Looks great but like a lot of work!!!! I like mine out of the can - or the hand held ones that you nuke are good too! :) lol
Will have to remember that when I garden next summer and have a lot of extra tomatoes! :)
Posted by: janis | January 04, 2010 at 03:46 PM
Yum!
I love how you photograph your food!
Posted by: Kate | January 04, 2010 at 03:48 PM
ok, i thought that i was the only person on the planet that didn't like tomato soup! and all this time i wasn't alone...
well, i think i'll have to give this a try. if i can get rid of one phobia, then there's only 6,784 left to go. thanks for sharing! oh and, as always, great photos.
Posted by: mrs. buckster | January 04, 2010 at 03:50 PM
I like anything tomato. That sounds and looks so good. YUm Thanks for passing on the recipe. I just bought a can of campbells today.
Posted by: He & Me + 3 | January 04, 2010 at 04:06 PM
mmmm looks yummy! Ok this may be a dumb question, but what is a dutch oven?
Posted by: Katie | January 04, 2010 at 04:24 PM
I'm back from vacation and can't wait to catch up on you and your family. We're not having grilled cheese and tomato soup for supper but I am SO going to add it to my menu plan for this week! :)
You are such a gifted writer, not to mention a gifted photographer!
Happy New Year, friend!
Posted by: Amanda Jo | January 04, 2010 at 04:28 PM
That's really interesting. I LOVE tomatoes but my kids hate them. What's with that? I'll try this and see if it cures their tomato aversion! And your photos are as always, superb!x
Posted by: Sarah | January 04, 2010 at 04:43 PM
Wow, I can't stand tomato soup either, but those pics may just change my mind! Thanks for the link.
Posted by: Cop Mama | January 04, 2010 at 04:44 PM
My daugher and I LOVE tomato soup! I have been wanting to make my own for such a long time, but haven't taken the time to do so yet. You are always a trusted source of recipes for me - thank you so much for sharing this one!
Posted by: Nicole | January 04, 2010 at 05:52 PM
I have never ever MADE tomato soup before, but I LOVE it with grilled cheese and this looks absolutely AMAZING!!!
Posted by: Mandi | January 04, 2010 at 06:28 PM
is the next step campbells? he he he! just kidding!
and i understand your envious feelings. if you want to, you can come over any time to use it. (i know! it kind of defeats the purpose to go to someone ELSE'S house to use a laptop, but know i mean the offer with all my heart!)
Posted by: gianna | January 04, 2010 at 07:21 PM
This cracked me up because I totally eat beans, peas AND cabbage smashed up. I whirled some cabbage in the food processor tonight. =) I'm so glad you liked the soup, it's one of my FAVORITE things to eat and I'd be bummed without it in my life.
Posted by: Rachel | January 04, 2010 at 08:30 PM
Thanks for giving my tomato soup recipe your seal of approval! Truth be told, I'm not a tomato soup lover either. Then I started testing recipes and discovered that homemade tomato soup to totally delicious and completely different form the stuff in the can.
BTW I have made 60 videos and 250 photo-tutorials on learning how to cook just the basics. All of my recipes and tips are for beginner cooks to learn from and enjoy!
Cheers,
Kathy Maister
Creator and Host of startcooking.com
Posted by: startcooking | January 04, 2010 at 09:03 PM
I don't think I'ever ever eaten tomato soup!! I always see it in pictures in magazines with grilled cheese and wonder if I would like to eat it!
Posted by: bp | January 04, 2010 at 09:46 PM
OH MY! I have to try this. I love canned Tomato Soup...so this will probably be heaven for me! Thanks, hun!
Posted by: BJ_Mama | January 04, 2010 at 11:30 PM
That ain't your momma's tomato soup LOL
FYI:
I have a phobia of public bathrooms.
Posted by: sheri | January 04, 2010 at 11:52 PM
We love tomato soup! I'll have to make some!
Thanks for sharing the website!
Posted by: Tina Fisher | January 05, 2010 at 08:37 AM
Tomato soup and grilled cheese is only my favorite comfort meal (especially when the grilled cheese involves mozzarella and dill). Glad you conquered your phobia!
Posted by: my boyfriend cooks for me | January 05, 2010 at 09:08 AM
Yumm! I love tomato soup, and this one looks delicious. I will let you know if I try to make it.
Posted by: janmary, n ireland | January 05, 2010 at 11:04 AM
Seriously? You can make tomato soup without using a can???
LOL!!!
So proud of you for pushing past the phobia, Amanda. Cuz no kid should miss out on the joy of dipping grilled cheese in tomato soup. *grin*
Posted by: Karen@SurvivingMotherhood | January 05, 2010 at 11:15 AM
YUMMY!!!! The photo of the grilled cheese dipped in tomato soup is so tempting.
Posted by: Memoria | January 05, 2010 at 09:05 PM
Ok so I'm going to have to try this, maybe I'll make it tomorrow for lunch, I believe I have everything on hand too. I too can't stand canned tomato soup, and have never tried homemade, so I'll try it and see if I like it. My kids actualy don't like it either, so worse case scenerio is we don't like it and just have grilled cheese! :)
Posted by: Christy | January 06, 2010 at 06:36 AM
I don't like any soup - well, that's what I say even though I can't remember the last time I tried one. It's the whole thought of drinking my dinner . . . Anyway, you might have just convinced me to give it (well, at least this one) a try! :)
(And thanks for the comment about my girls! They're sweeties!) :)
Posted by: Michaella Johnson | January 06, 2010 at 07:47 PM
It does look good, but I will have to get over my HUGE aversion to tomato soup to even try. I can count on one hand the foods I don't like. I practically eat anything, but I can't tolerate even the smell of tomato soup.
Posted by: Kristin | January 06, 2010 at 08:33 PM
looks incredible. The cream is a great addition. I always cringe when I go to friends' houses who use water to mix their soup - I love the creaminess of milk or cream in it. Great recipe!
Posted by: DishinAndDishes | January 07, 2010 at 05:17 PM
I dont love it, dont hate it, but you know what I am having a hard time with? Adding BREAD to the soup... maybe its time we get together again (I am so lame that I am not reading many blogs anymore... FB sucked me in and took my blog brain away... :( ) so... we should have soup and cookies! haha Miss you!
Posted by: justlori2day | March 02, 2010 at 07:26 PM
I really enjoy any kind of meal or beverage made with tomato.
Posted by: kamagra | April 23, 2010 at 10:31 AM
Great blog. Hypnotherapy can help you to over come your phobias so that you don't pass them on to your children.
Posted by: Hypnotherapy London | September 13, 2011 at 11:00 AM