Grilled Tomato Basil Soup

grilled tomato basil soup

As the farmer’s market starts to showcase the root vegetables (beets, potatoes, carrots, parsnips), you cannot help but think of hardy soups and stews.

Grilled Tomato Basil Soup has a soft smokey flavour that is enhanced with the addition of garlic, carrots and spice flavourings of thyme, garlic, celery, parsley and bay leaf.

Enjoy it hot or cold.  I like to serve it hot with some freshly baked bread or cheese and/or garlic bread.

Grilled Tomato Basil Soup

Serves 6 first course servings

Ingredients

  • 6 Medium ripe tomatoes (halved)
  • 1 Medium onion (peeled and quartered)
  • olive oil
  • salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1 Large carrot (peeled and chopped)
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • 3 Cups (750 ml) chicken stock (may substitute with vegetable stock)
  • spice flavourings (celery stock, sprig of thyme, sprig of parsley, bay leaf)
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil (or 1 cube of pesto (see making Pesto))
  • splash lemon juice
  • pinch of sugar

Garnish

  • 3 -4 fresh basil leaves (snipped)
  • freshly snipped chives
  • drizzle of whipping cream or plain yoghurt

Directions

Rub tomatoes and onion with oil, salt and pepper. Set on the grill over low heat.
Tomato Basil Soup - grilling the vegetables
Grill for about 10 - 15 minutes until flesh is lightly charred, turning several times.
Tomato Basil Soup - grilling the vegetables
Combine tomatoes, onion, carrot, garlic, 3 cups (750 ml) stock, spice flavourings and a little salt in a large pot. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer for about 30 minutes or until vegetables are soft.
Remove and discard spice flavourings. Puree vegetables in a blender or food processor until smooth. Stir in the chopped basil (or pesto). Adjust flavour with lemon juice and perhaps a pinch or two of sugar. Add more stock if necessary to achieve the desired consistency. Season to taste.
Serve warm or chilled (add swirl of yoghurt or whipped cream, with chopped basil or chives)
Cream of Tomato Soup
You can add 1 cup of warmed whipping cream to make a cream of tomato soup.
No Fresh Tomatoes?
In the absence of fresh tomatoes, you can add a tin of diced tomatoes (still good to grill the onions to give the smoky flavour)

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