Description
This Cafe-Style Tomato Soup is a rich and creamy blend of tomato juice, sauce, and diced tomatoes, enhanced with fresh herbs and a hint of cayenne. It’s a comforting classic, perfect for a cozy meal, made with simple ingredients and finished with smooth whipping cream for a delicious café-quality experience at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 yellow onion
- 4 cloves garlic
- 6 fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
Liquids & Dairy
- 64 ounces tomato juice
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 14 ½ ounces diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 tablespoons butter
Seasonings & Others
- 2 cubes chicken bouillon
- 2 tablespoons white granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatics: Chop the yellow onion and garlic cloves finely to ensure they cook evenly and release their flavors fully into the soup.
- Sauté onion and garlic: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent. Then add the garlic and cook for another 2 minutes, allowing the aroma to develop without browning.
- Add tomato ingredients: Pour in the tomato juice, tomato sauce, and the drained diced tomatoes. Stir to combine all the tomato components for a rich base.
- Season the soup: Crumble in the chicken bouillon cubes, add the granulated sugar and cayenne pepper. Stir thoroughly to integrate all seasoning elements and balance acidity with sugar and heat with cayenne.
- Infuse fresh herbs: Add the fresh basil leaves and cilantro. Let the soup simmer for 2-3 minutes to allow the herbs to release their flavors into the broth.
- Puree the soup: Using an immersion blender, blend the soup directly in the pot until smooth and creamy, creating a luscious texture typical of café-style soups.
- Finish with cream and season: Stir in the heavy whipping cream to enrich the soup’s texture and flavor. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed to achieve the desired seasoning.
Notes
- This soup is a simple yet elegant blend of tomato sauce and juice, achieving a smooth and creamy texture without the need for fresh tomatoes.
- The use of chicken bouillon enhances the depth of flavor, but can be substituted with vegetable bouillon for a vegetarian version.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper to control the heat level according to personal preference.
- For a thicker consistency, reduce the amount of tomato juice or let the soup simmer uncovered longer.
- Pair the soup with crusty bread or a grilled cheese sandwich for a comforting meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 247 kcal
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 472 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 46 mg
