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Weeknight Tomato Soup
45 minutes
4 regular servings
Steps
- Make the soup: In a 3- to 4-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat, then add onions. Cook, stirring, until onions are tender and beginning to brown at edges, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add tomato paste, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add sherry, if using, and cook for 1 minute, then tomatoes. Cook the tomatoes, mashing them slightly with your spoon, for 3 minutes, then add broth and seasoning to taste — I usually start with 1 teaspoon kosher salt, many grinds of black pepper, and a couple pinches of pepper flakes. Bring mixture to a simmer and cover the pot. Cook at a simmer for 15 to 20 minutes; this is a great time to prepare grilled cheese sandwiches (see below) if you’re making them.
- To finish: Either with an immersion blender or in a full-sized blender, blend the hot soup carefully until totally smooth — my immersion blender often misses some tomato skins, so go around the pot a few extra times. Taste, adjust seasoning as needed. If you’d like the soup to be creamy, add it a splash at a time, stirring, until you reach your desired level. Finally, you can add 1 teaspoon sherry vinegar for a little brightness at the end, and a second teaspoon if it needs more.
- To serve: Ladle into bowls or mugs, finish with a little freshly ground black pepper, and surround with grilled cheese “fingers” (below) for dipping.
- To make grilled cheese fingers: [For one sandwich] Spread the outside of two slices of sandwich bread with either softened butter or a thin (a little goes a long way) layer of mayonnaise. Fill with the cheese of your choice. I like to use one slice of American cheese (for meltiness) and some sharp grated cheddar (for flavor). Place in a cold heavy skillet and turn heat to a medium-low. Cook slowly until the underside is a deep even golden brown. Flip the sandwich over and cook on the second side until it matches the first side. Cut into strips.
Originally published at smittenkitchen.com. Reproduced for personal collection.
