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Classic Tomato Soup

Source of Recipe

From "Mad Hungry: Cravings" by Lucinda Quinn


Recipe Introduction

"When I realized how damn easy it is to make homemade tomato soup, I was incredulous. Why on earth had we been eating the red-and-white cans of pink stuff all those years? Serve grilled cheese sandwiches on the side for dipping, or cut into small squares to float on top."

List of Ingredients

â—¦ 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
â—¦ 2 shallots, finely chopped
â—¦ 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
â—¦ 1 celery stalk, chopped
â—¦ 2 teaspoons coarse salt
â—¦ 2 (28-ounce) cans whole tomatoes in juice
â—¦ 2 to 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
â—¦ One 3 x 1 ½-inch piece Parmesan rind (optional)
â—¦ Garnishes: extra-virgin olive oil or butter and grated Parmesan (optional)


Recipe

Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the oil. When it shimmers, add the shallots, carrots, and celery, season with the salt, and sauté until soft and golden, 6 to 8 minutes.

Add the tomatoes, 2 cups of the chicken broth, and Parmesan rind, if using, bring to a simmer, and cook, partially covered, stirring occasionally, for 45 minutes, until the soup has thickened slightly. Remove and discard the Parmesan rind.

Transfer the soup to a blender, working in batches, and purée.
Reheat the soup, if necessary. Add more chicken broth if needed for the desired consistency. Divide among bowls and garnish each with a drizzle of olive oil or a small pat of butter and grated Parmesan, if desired.

Serves 6 to 8



• Parmesan Cheese:
If you buy Parmesan in chunks instead of the desiccated, flavorless grated variety, you will end up with Parmesan rinds. These add a wonderful savory bottom flavor to many soups or stews. If you go through as much cheese as my family does, accumulate your rinds in a resealable plastic bag stored in the freezer.

• Canned Tomatoes:
I've tried them all and can report with absolute certainty that your soup will be most delicious if made with Muir Glen organic canned peeled whole plum tomatoes, which taste tomatoey and have the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.