My blog has moved

You will be automatically redirected to the new address.

If that does not occur, please visit http://umberdove.com/blog;.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Lunching: A Rustic Tomato Soup Recipe

I've been meaning to share this utterly simple and perfectly basic recipe with you for a few weeks now, but somehow I manage to eat every last drop before snapping a single photo.  We've had alternating hail storms, bitter winds, and generally chilly weather which has had me in the mood for hearty, warming dishes.  However, what I've not been in the mood for is long hours at the stove when such exciting work is happening in the studio.  This soup fits the bill; it's a snap to make, chances are you have everything rolling about in the panty, and it tastes far fancier than it looks.  While I love to whip up extravagant courses, I also put a lot of stock in being able to make magic happen with a couple cans and an old clove of garlic.
~ Rustic Tomato Soup ~
you will need
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 of a medium-to-large onion, roughly chopped
3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp of dried herbs (I'll talk more on this later)
2 cups broth/stock (I often freeze bags of homemade veggie stock, but today I emptied a left-over carton of beef broth from a stew earlier in the week)
2 14oz cans of tomatos (organic, no added salt/sugar if possible.  These can be diced, stewed, sliced, it matters not)

how to make it
Heat olive oil in a largish stock pot on the stove.  Toss in onions, cook for 3-4 minutes or until beginning to turn translucent, stirring often.  Add garlic, cook for another 1-2 minutes.  Add sea salt, brown sugar and dried herbs (I've been using a dried Bouquet Garni mix which includes savory, rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, dill, sage and tarragon.  However, I've also used hearty pinches of basil and oregano alone, and once, chopped up some fresh sage and threw in a bit of rosemary.  Truly, I think you can get away with any combination above, just go light at first and taste along the way), continue cooking and stirring until the onions begin caramelizing and barely crisping at the edges.

Add stock and both cans of tomatos, juices included and stir well.  Allow everything to warm up on medium heat for 5-8 minutes.

Now, if you're fancy and own an immersion blender, bust that baby out.  If not, puree in batches in a blender before returning to the pot.  Either way, you want smooth, without any hunks of tomato or onion surprising you later.  Once your soup is looking thick and lovely, allow it to simmer for another 5-10 minutes while all the flavors get to know each other.  
Finally, serve it up!
Some crusty bread (hello rosemary-olive oil loaf) would be glorious here or even a homey grilled cheese, but if the cupboards are a bit bare and the grocery store is not on the plans (ehem, as it is here), then slurp it up as is.  And of course, if you can pour it in a handmade bowl and sip from a vintage spoon, all the better.

10 comments:

MrsLittleJeans said...

I am a sucker for tomato soups and I think I can even handle making this following your lovely recipe...xx

UmberDove said...

I have a feeling you could not only handle it, but throw a little of your own magic in there.

fluttertothesky said...

where did you get that bowl? oh! and your wrist warmers :P

Cat said...

yum

love and light

pencilfox said...

the temp is +2F here: GIVE ME YOUR BOWL OF SOUP.

i'm going to whip up a batch this weekend....

xx

prairiegirl said...

I'm hoping it tastes as mmmm good as Campbell's. Seriously, I love that stuff! (I know)
X

Farm and Field said...

I'm looking forward to trying this, thanks for sharing it.

UmberDove said...

Flutter - The bowl (which has two leaping jackrabbits on the inside!!) came from Patti Sandberg: http://www.etsy.com/shop/patticeramics and the warmers are just a little something I found at a local shop here in Seattle. Seriously, get yourself a shortie pair of cashmere ones! I wear these constantly!

Foxy - I'm slightly embarrassed to report that I wore both a down vest AND a fur stole today and our weather was 30 degrees warmer. Soups on my sister!

Prairie - Add a dollop of heavy cream at the end of cooking, or even a spoonful of cremé fraiche if you're feeling extravagant. And then let me know. Dairy and I have had to all but part ways and I MISS IT.

Brandi - All my pleasure!

tea troll said...

Sorry to hear that you and Dairy had a falling out! I love her more than I should, especially when she gets cheesy. :)

I'll definitely take your recipe out for a spin! I have a can of fire roasted Trader Joes tomatoes that is calling for a recipe like this. YUM!

M+ said...

I made the soup!!!! A first for me- tomato that is. Love it. Thanks oodles! xo