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Tomato Soup

17/11/2023

Tomato soup is a classic dish, warm and comforting, ideal for colder periods, but also enjoyed in summer if served cold. Here is the recipe for preparing a traditional Italian tomato soup.

Ingredients

  • 500 g of ripe tomatoes (or a can of peeled tomatoes)
  • 1 medium onion
  • 1 carrot
  • 1 stalk of celery
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 1 liter of vegetable or chicken broth
  • Fresh basil (a small bunch)
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • 200 g of small pasta like ditalini or stelline (optional for a more substantial touch)

Preparation

  1. Start by preparing the soffritto. Finely chop the onion, carrot, and celery. In a large pot, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and add the chopped vegetables. Let them sauté over medium heat until they become soft and translucent.
  2. Add the chopped garlic and let it brown for a minute, being careful not to burn it.
  3. Add the tomatoes cut into small pieces (if you are using canned tomatoes, break them up directly in the pot). If you wish, you can peel the fresh tomatoes before adding them by plunging them for a few seconds in boiling water and then into cold water so that the skin peels off easily.
  4. Let the tomatoes cook for about 5 minutes, then pour in the broth. Bring to a boil and then lower the heat. Let simmer for about 30 minutes.
  5. In the meantime, if you want to make the soup richer, cook the pasta in plenty of salted water following the cooking instructions on the package, then drain it al dente.
  6. Blend the soup with an immersion blender until you reach the desired consistency; if you prefer a more rustic soup, you can simply crush the tomatoes with a wooden spoon.
  7. Adjust for salt and pepper and add the hand-torn basil to best preserve its aroma.
  8. If you cooked the pasta, add it to the soup and let it flavor for another minute.

A curiosity: tomato soup has very humble origins, it was often prepared in the homes of peasants using fresh tomatoes from the garden. In many Italian regional variations, ingredients such as stale bread croutons are added to give body and make the best use of leftovers.