Posted on 02/03/2016 3:30:20 PM PST by Jamestown1630
When I was attending public school in the late-1950s and 1960s, one of our favorites of the rotating school lunches was Cream of Tomato Soup and Grilled-Cheese Sandwiches. But as I grew older, I lost my taste for the sweetness of most tomato soups offered in cans at the grocery, or in restaurants. I began to realize that what I was wanting in Tomato Soup was something very tart, clear, and herb-y.
About 10 years ago, while lunching in a small local restaurant, I enjoyed a Tomato-Basil soup in a bread bowl which seemed to me to be the *Perfect Tomato Soup*. I determined to find a recipe that I could make at home that would be just like it; and after searching the Internet and poring over my cookbooks, I found a great one.
The original recipe comes from 'The Chesapeake Bay Cookbook', by John Shields (highly recommended!) but I've goofed-around with it a bit. I leave out the sugar, because I like a really tart tomato soup - YMMV - and I usually throw a lot of dried basil in, instead of using thyme or fresh basil.
You do need a food-mill, to make this properly; I recommend one that has a solid, round-y handle. We bought one of the wire-handled ones and it's very uncomfortable to use.
Deal Island Summer Tomato Soup
1 C. Butter, or Olive Oil (I usually use half butter, half oil)
3 green bell peppers, diced
2 C. diced onions
2 C. diced Celery
2 T. chopped Garlic (opt.)
3 C. water
4 lbs. Tomatoes, Peeled and Cored; or Canned (I usually use a big ol' can of tomatoes from Costco.)
4 tsps. Sugar (or less, or opt.)
2 tsps. Salt
2 Bay leaves
1 tsp. dried thyme, or 6 fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/4 tsp. ground Nutmeg
Freshly ground pepper
Garlic Croutons
Melt butter or heat oil in soup pot. Add onions, celery, bell peppers and garlic. Cook, stirring, 10 minutes.
Add water, bring to boil, then simmer 30 to 40 minutes.
Add the tomatoes, sugar (if used), salt, bay leaves, thyme and nutmeg. Simmer 45 minutes.
Pass soup through food mill. Return to pot and reheat. Adjust seasonings. Serve topped with freshly ground pepper and croutons.
(We usually double this recipe.)
___________________________________________________
I normally do a Grilled Cheese Sandwich with a whole lot of butter slathered on the inside of the bread near the cheese, and lots of melted butter in the pan, for frying. But I did a search to find what other ideas might be out there, and found this very interesting way of doing it, with Mayonnaise:
http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/best-ever-grilled-cheese
(And I think it always tastes best sliced on the diagonal ;-)
___________________________________________________
Writing about the food mill reminded me of another really useful kitchen tool: the potato ricer.
I've only used mine for potatoes once, because I didn't feel that the difference it made in the texture was worth the work. But the ricer is an excellent tool for recipes that require squeezing all the liquid out of steamed spinach. It's worth having one for just that purpose.
-JT
I’m so glad you posted that - I once found a recipe very like it, and lost it. It’s a great way to get Chili Relleno flavor, without all the work. (Though a really well-done Chili Relleno is one of the best things you can eat. I like them with cheese, not meat.)
-JT
Sounds good. I have to admit, I’ve been very happy with Trader Joe’s tomato soup. Comes in a carton, makes about four servings. When I want a no-work lunch or light dinner, it’s good. Nuke up a bowl, top with some toasted cheese - also nuked.
It’s so hard...especially when you don’t measure anything.
There’s a Trader Joe’s not too far from here, but I’ve never gone there. Somehow I got it in my head that it’s relatively expensive for what’s on offer; is it?
-JT
We have a Trader Joe’s in town. It is a little high-end, but they also have things you don’t find in other stores. You just have to watch for specials.
They put out a wonderful ‘flyer’, too. It’s fun to read. I hope they give their ad man a bonus.
Wife and I made Po-BLAM-o “burgers” this week.
Toasted buns on the grill, poblano peppers, portabello mushrooms, a slice of pepper jack and a chunk of avocado, slathered in Mexican Odobo sauce.
Excellent !
Are you both on the wrong thread or just grooving to your own beat????? Truly fascinated..........
Mmmmmmmm.......we just finished chili w/ cheddar & cornbread muffins.
That sounds really good, I’ve been looking for a good tomato soup recipe. We tried one at Macaroni Grill a year ago and it was so good. A bit on the spicy side though!
I think someone tried to bait me in here, to offend you folks.
I apologize for the intrusion.
Could youpleaseshare what ingredients & do you butter the tortillas or not? They sound so good!
I make them in the oven and turn it on convection. The tortillas get nice and crispy. They taste great with blended cheese and I also make pizzadillas that the kids love too.
That sounds great!
I’m not much of a meat eater, but a good hamburger is one of my absolute favorite things. I look for it on every menu and if it’s good, it’s all I’ll order there.
-JT
I was thinking that someone just accidentally posted to the wrong thread; or that I had somehow posted to somebody else’s ;-)
-JT
It is a lot of trouble, but turns out very well, and it freezes well. You might want to use at least some of the sugar, on the first try. I like it very tart, but others may not.
-JT
No beef of any kind in this recipe.
The fat portabello is grilled in place of “burger.”
LOL! I thought those were fixins for a burger...and it would be very good!
-JT
Something easy & delicious w/ soup or w/ a glass of wine.....take herbed goat cheese, put a hunk on a crescent roll, roll up & bake. A quickly appetizer too.
Some things are considerably less expensive than most supermarkets. Some things more, and the produce is not as fresh. I get good value on frozen fruit, nuts, wine, cheese, and the soup.
If I’m hosting a dinner and don’t want to spend too much time on appetizers or deserts, they have some good choices, at reasonable prices for ready-made.
I’ve seen a lot of stuff from Trader Joe’s brought to parties and potlucks - what I’ve tried has been good.
-JT
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.