This is definitely what I consider to be the most flavorful and silky smooth tomato soup recipe I have ever made.
Be advised, I have only ever made one version of tomato soup.
Just sayin.
This is how my kids like it. With a small side of the soup to dip their grilled cheese sandwhich in. They like medium cheddar cheese... but every now and I then I will get crazy and give them sharp cheddar.
And sometimes I dont make them take a bath at night.
We are really quite adventurous around here.
And here is how *I* like it. Big huge bowl of soup with tiny grilled cheese bites around it... I prefer meunster cheese. And sometimes I will add a bit of Gruyere cheese.
Ok, that was one time. When we got it for a gift. That stuff is like $20 a pound!
I posted this recipe on my blog once before, but have since simplified it because I thrive on simplicity.
(actually, I just stumbled upon this recipe again over at Cook's Illustrated! They had a wonderful suggestion of adding 2 tablespoons of brandy when you add the broth... yum! Just dont give the kids any!!!)
That or I am just really bad at following directions. And kinda lazy.
The Best Tomato Soup
- 4 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 medium onion (about 1 cup) - chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic (about 2 teaspoons) - minced or crushed
- 2 cans of whole tomatoes packed in juice (I used two quart jars of whole canned tomatoes from our garden)
- 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 over medium-high heat until it is shimmering
Add the chopped onion and garlic and 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 two inches remain.
Stir in brown sugar and bread; bring soup to a boil, stirring occasionally, until the bread is completely saturated and starts to break down, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium.
Transfer half of soup to blender.
Add one 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.
Return the soup to the pot and add two cups of chicken broth. (or add enough to reach desired consistency)
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Any leftovers I just put right back into the jar I got the tomatoes out of.
I just love this soup because I can use all natural ingredients and the tomatoes from that we canned from our garden. The kids love it and I feel good feeding it to them!
Its especially delicious when the temperature reaches a balmy high of 2 degrees. (with the *feels like* temp. around -15 degrees)
Comfort food at its finest!
*****
I linked this up with Marla's Best Grilled Cheese post!
MMM...I LOVE tomato soup!! THis looks amazing :)
Posted by: Cookbook Queen | January 21, 2011 at 08:26 AM
This looks delicious and SIMPLE! And perfect timing with this frigid cold. We love a good tomato soup around here - I'll be giving this a try.
Posted by: Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles | January 21, 2011 at 08:29 AM
Yummy! What a comfort food.
Posted by: Amy | She Wears Many Hats | January 21, 2011 at 08:30 AM
Man, I am going to have to step up my game, sometimes my favorite tomato soup is Campbell's straight out of a can served up with a velveeta grilled cheese sandwich. I am certain this would be better though!
Posted by: CopyKat Recipes | January 21, 2011 at 08:30 AM
This is so exciting! My husband just called a while ago and asked if we could have grilled cheese and tomato soup for dinner tonight! I have all of these ingredients on hand, and this will be far more exciting, healthy, and I'm sure delicious than boring canned tomato soup! Thanks!
Posted by: Darla | January 21, 2011 at 08:50 AM
I really should try this sometime. I am missing 2 ingredients or I'd do it today.. My kids all enjoy tomato soup. I've always been afraid to try making homemade, but this sounds simple enough!
Posted by: Renee | January 21, 2011 at 08:59 AM
I have never liked tomato soup, however, i would be willing to try this. It looks delicious!
Posted by: Joy | January 21, 2011 at 09:01 AM
Yum yum yum!! I just love tomato soup. It's going to be cold here this weekend, so I will have to pull some of my tomatoes out of the freezer and get busy making some soup.
Posted by: Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction | January 21, 2011 at 09:08 AM
Mmm...seriously one of my most craved pregnant meals! Can't get enough dipped grilled cheese in tomato soup!!! Your recipe looks delicious!!! (it's a balmy -1 here this morning! Maybe we'll reach 2 by lunch! Brrr!)
Posted by: Londa | January 21, 2011 at 09:09 AM
Uck!! I think it was -14 when I published the post... the overnight low was below -20! Seriously, thats too cold even for me! :)
Posted by: Amanda Rettke | January 21, 2011 at 09:38 AM
I'll have to try this. Mr. E LOVES tomato soup, but I, um, don't. But I have a feeling I'd like YOURS!
Posted by: bridget {bake at 350} | January 21, 2011 at 09:42 AM
Yum! I have been looking (well ok, in my head I have thinking about looking! Really looking would take lots more effort) for a new recipe. Ours is a little bit "less than ideal". Might just have to try this one today since I have been craving tomato soup. Have to admit though that I am kinda freaked about the bread part ... I have issues with "wet bread" but I might just have to step outside of my comfort zone. I'll just repeat "Amanda said it would be ok ... Amanda said it would be ok!". :)
Posted by: Stephanie | January 21, 2011 at 09:53 AM
It's still very warm here, but all I'm craving lately is soup. Sounds great, especially with your adventurous grilled cheese ;)
Posted by: Esi | January 21, 2011 at 10:01 AM
This is the tomato soup I make too!!! I have tried two recipes from Cooks Illustrated and they are both wonderful :) I make a huge batch and then can quarts of the soup to have on hand.
Posted by: Mary C. | January 21, 2011 at 11:12 AM
There is something about the combination of tomato soup and grilled cheese. Pure heaven! xo
Posted by: Michelle (What's Cooking with Kids) | January 21, 2011 at 11:14 AM
Oh it looks so yummy! Perfect for a cold day!
Posted by: Christina | January 21, 2011 at 12:31 PM
Mmmmm. Tomato soup. I made some yesterday for lunch. It's sooo much better with home canned tomatoes. And it's frugally satisfying too. (Can you say that?)
Today it was Cuban black bean soup. One of these days I'll be back to eating things that crunch. Until then, I think I'm going to be finding some new soups. :)
Posted by: Bethany | January 21, 2011 at 12:37 PM
I am currently over run with a horrible head cold and THIS post looks fabulous. I'm thinking this is what I need to make this weekend. Thanks for sharing. The perfect idea for this weather. Have a super weekend Friend!!!
Posted by: Kim @ Quit Eating Out {Recipes to Make Dining Out a Choice, Not a Chore} | January 21, 2011 at 01:04 PM
That sounds delicious! Can't wait to try it!
Posted by: Brandie | January 21, 2011 at 02:23 PM
This sounds heavenly!!! The sharp cheddar grilled cheese is the perfect add-on.
Posted by: mindy | January 21, 2011 at 03:00 PM
I loathe fresh tomatoes, but I love me some homemade tomato soup...I am also have an affinity for ketchup, go figure. Your soup looks incredibly delicious.
Posted by: Jamie | My Baking Addiction | January 21, 2011 at 03:35 PM
oh Amanda, this sounds great! Another thing to use my home canned tomatoes on! Thanks for sharing...
Posted by: LindaSue Carter | January 21, 2011 at 03:48 PM
Looks delicious, and yes would be especially good with those temperatures. I'm sending you sunshine right NOW!!! Hope it arrives quickly and warms things up a bit :)
Posted by: Diane {createdbydiane.blogspot.com} | January 21, 2011 at 04:40 PM
I wish I had a big bowl right now!
Posted by: Maria | January 21, 2011 at 07:04 PM
This sounds amazing Amanda. And I just love the grilled cheese cut into strips for dunking!
Posted by: Tracy | January 22, 2011 at 09:08 AM
tomato soup is on my meal plan list for this week. i am going to try yours! looks yummy!
Posted by: susan | January 22, 2011 at 09:22 AM
I have never loved tomato soup, but yours is tempting me! May have to try it again.
Posted by: Kristen | January 23, 2011 at 11:05 PM
Thanks for the recipe. I'm definitely going to try it.
This family loves tomato soup & grilled cheese. And, we can relate to those lovely high temps of 2 degrees/lows -20 here as well.
Blessings...
Posted by: Amy K | January 24, 2011 at 04:47 AM
Love homemade tomato soup, and yours looks just divine.
Posted by: Shaina | January 24, 2011 at 10:55 AM
We always have grilled cheese and tomato soup in our house! So delicious!
Jess : )
Posted by: Jess | January 24, 2011 at 08:06 PM
YES! My favorite way to eat tomato soup! Perfect comfort food!
Posted by: foodies at home | January 24, 2011 at 08:50 PM
Would love to learn more about your gardening and canning experiences. Soup looks delish.
Posted by: Judith Norman | January 24, 2011 at 09:16 PM
I found your blog through the idea room and I LOVE it! I am now a new follower. I do have to say those rainbow pancakes are to DIE for- and I know all the colors are probably terrible for you, but endulging in some fun every once in a while is A-OK in my book ;) I'm going to make this for Valentine's Day, I think. :)
Oh- and the candyland cake- SO cute! I did a rainbow cake for my daughter's first birthday (Yo Gabba Gabba) and it was SO STINKIN CUTE! I just never thought of doing pancakes!!! Thanks for the idea :)
Semalee @ Nailing Jello to a Tree
Posted by: Semalee | January 25, 2011 at 11:34 AM
This sounds delicious. I can't wait to try it. Your photos are beautiful too.
Loved reading through your blog today (followed you here from Oh Amanda). I subscribed. :) Look forward to reading more!
Melissa~
Posted by: Melissa@Pink Paper Peppermints | January 25, 2011 at 02:05 PM
Mmmmm. This does sound great.
But I don't HAVE a tomato masher.
OR a blender.
I have a can opener, though. So for the time being I think we'll be eating 'store brand' tomato soup.
Do you still love me?
*wink*
Posted by: Karen@SurvivingMotherhood | January 25, 2011 at 06:34 PM
That looks so delicious. that's it, I'm inviting myself over for lunch!
Posted by: Michelle | January 25, 2011 at 07:11 PM
Amanda, love this soup! Could have used it on ski days. Dipping grilled cheese in it sounds like a dream. So does the brandy ;)
Posted by: marla {family fresh cooking} | January 31, 2011 at 03:12 PM
This looks wonderful! I cant wait to try it. I found you through The Idea Room.
Posted by: Min | February 03, 2011 at 11:00 AM
:D I was think of you and your tomato soup when we were eating some the other day, before I'd even read this.
Posted by: ElizaBeth | February 07, 2011 at 07:46 PM
I made this yesterday it is O-SO-GOOD!!!!! and now I have this huge container of soup in my fridge that I'm sure will be gone by the weekend, especially since I have some wheat penne pasta in the house! =o) Thanks again, as always!
Posted by: Joy | February 22, 2011 at 05:39 PM
I had to share the blogs featuring your soup recipe =o) Here's the first:
http://melindaj365.blogspot.com/2011/02/244-aka-best-tomato-soup.html
and here's the sandwich I paired with it:
http://melindaj80.blogspot.com/2011/02/turkey-and-swiss-stromboli.html
thanks again! =o)
Posted by: Joy | February 22, 2011 at 11:30 PM
Tomato Soup looking good and mouth watering.
Posted by: anjelina | April 18, 2011 at 08:39 PM
What size are the cans of tomatoes?
Posted by: Fran | September 17, 2011 at 05:24 PM
Love this recipe. Linking back to this in my next post :) Want some now!
Posted by: marla | November 20, 2011 at 08:50 PM