All right, let’s use up those excess tomatoes you have growing in your garden! If you don’t have an excess, then it’s the best time to get to the grocery store, check the labels and pick up a dozen or so locally grown tomatoes. This soup has that familiar texture of Campbell’s tomato soup, but a far better and more nuanced flavour. I’ve been making quick tomato soups for years, but I think I’ve finally reached the ultimate destination and I’m ready to share it with you. It’s fast and you can easily sub canned tomatoes in the winter months. Should be ready and on the table in about a half an hour, so it’s going to work perfectly for a weeknight dinner or maybe even a homemade lunch. I made mine with just a hint of spiciness, but you’re free to adjust that to your exact liking.
Fresh Creamy Tomato Soup
Makes 1 1/2 litres
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion, peeled and chopped
1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
1 small sweet potato, peeled and diced (~1/2 cup chopped)
1 stalk celery, diced
5 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
10 whole tomatoes, roughly chopped
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons red wine (optional)
1 teaspoon sugar, agave nectar or maple syrup
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon savoury
1/2 teaspoon basil (optional; my husband is allergic so I leave it out)
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/4 teaspoon smoked hot paprika, or more to taste
1 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk
1 tablespoon potato starch
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
In a large stock pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat and add the onions. Season with salt and let them begin to sweat before adding the carrot, sweet potato and celery. Sautee for several minutes, add the garlic and season with salt again. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine, sugar and herbs and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and let simmer for about 25 minutes, until the tomatoes have released all their water and have begun to reduce. Whisk together the non-dairy milk and the starch. Add the soup and milk mixture to a blender and blend until smooth. Serve hot with whatever you like.