Fresh Tomato Soup

Fresh tomatoes simmered with sun-dried tomatoes and herbs, then blended with crème fraîche until velvety smooth. Sunny, tangy, and comforting. The farmhouse classic that's brilliant with golden croutons and crusty bread!

Prep30

Cook30

Total1

Servings

DifficultyEasy

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
1 onion white or yellow
2 cloves garlic
1 tbsp tomato concentrate
700 gr tomatoes or use tinned with no additives in winter
6 sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil best
1 carrot optional, for sweetness
750 ml vegetable stock or homemade vegetable broth
2 sprigs thyme
1 bay leaf
2 tbsp crème fraîche optional, for serving
1 handful basil optional, for serving
1 baguette for croutons
salt and black pepper

Equipment

1 dutch oven minimum 4l capacity
1 wooden spatula
1 chopping board
1 knife
1 food processor or Immersion blender (stick blender)
1 ladle

Instructions

Prepare the vegetables

Heat the olive oil in a heavy pot over medium. Sauté the onion and carrot gently until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic for 30 seconds, without letting it brown.

Build base flavour

Stir in the tomato paste and chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes to develop depth.

Simmer

Add the fresh tomatoes, thyme, bay leaf, stock and a pinch of salt. Bring to a gentle boil, then lower to a simmer. Cover and cook 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Blend

Remove the bay leaf and thyme stems. Blitz with a hand blender until completely smooth. Season with salt and black pepper.

Prepare croutons

While the soup finishes, cube the baguette, toss with olive oil and bake at 180°C for 10 minutes, adding a little cheese if you like.

Finish and garnish

Stir in the crème fraîche if using, and ladle into bowls. Garnish with torn basil and hot croutons.

Notes

The soup is only as good as your tomatoes. Use the best in late summer.
Sun-dried tomatoes mimic the intensity of Provençal versions; tomato powder works as a substitute.
Some French cooks add a little honey, or finish with a swirl of cream for extra velouté texture.

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