Creamy Heirloom Tomato Soup

What are you going to do with all those tomatoes in your garden?  I have an idea…let’s make a rich ,creamy hearty, homemade tomato soup with lots of flavor.  When I made the Italian Bread Bowls I told you I’d show you a recipe you could use them with.  This delicious homemade tomato soup recipe is the perfect way to do that. 

The first time I made this soup was last fall when the weather was turning brisk.  I made it with tomatoes that I had frozen from the garden in the Summer.  When my son tasted it, he said it was a tomato soup that you would get in a five star restaurant.I made it again today with fresh tomatoes, it was lovely and full of flavor. Let’s gather the ingredients and make this homemade tomato soup together.

 Creamy Heirloom Tomato Soup Ingredients:

• 2 pounds fresh or frozen tomatoes
• 1 Teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 Teaspoon Paprika
• 1/8 Teaspoon dried Cayenne Pepper
• 2 Teaspoons dried Oregano
• 2 Teaspoons dried Basil
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups whole milk
• 4 chicken flavored bouillon cubes

How To Prepare Fresh Tomatoes From Your Garden For The Soup

I took my fresh tomatoes and blanched them for about 30 seconds in boiling water and then put them in cold water to cool. The tomato skins peel right off of the tomatoes.  You can do this to a peach as well to remove the skin.  I cut all the blemishes off of the tomatoes and cut them into quarters. Using my fingers, I got into the chambers of the tomatoes and removed the seeds.  They push right out. 

All I have now is the meat of the tomato.  At this point you can continue to make soup, or freeze the tomatoes for later use. To freeze tomatoes, just put them in a freezer bag, label them and into the freezer they go to use in the winter for soups, stews or sauce.   I froze all my tomatoes last year using this method.  But we are making soup so…

Now we’re going to make a roux.  Melt the butter in a saucepan and whisk in the flour.  I always let the flour and butter boil a minute after it’s whisked together, it takes the flour taste out of it.  Next, add the milk, and cook and whisk until it comes up to a boil. Add the tomatoes. Heat the soup back up to hot and tweak it to your liking.

 If the soup is too thick , add some milk, if you want more herbs or spices, add them. If your tomatoes don’t have the tomato flavor you hoped for, add a little tomato paste to the soup.

This soup is delicious with or without a bread bowl.  If you’re using frozen tomatoes, this recipe comes together from start to finish in about 20 minutes.  If you prepare your fresh tomatoes ahead of time and make the soup, you’re still only looking at 20 minutes.  Heirloom Tomato Soup is a delicious, creamy, rich , flavorful soup that you will love.  Enjoy!