Tomato Vegetable Soup - a refreshing summer recipe
Summer is a season full of colors, aromas, and especially ripe, juicy tomatoes! Tomato soup is a classic dish that brings joy to our tables, being easy to prepare and extremely delicious. This recipe combines the simplicity of ingredients with the richness of flavors, offering you a memorable culinary experience. So, let's get to work and discover how we can transform a few fresh vegetables into the most flavorful soup!
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Number of servings: 4-6
Necessary ingredients:
- 1.5 kg ripe, soft tomatoes (preferably of Romanian type for flavor)
- 1 medium white onion
- 2 carrots
- 3 celery stalks
- Green onion leaves or 1 green garlic stalk
- A handful of fresh basil
- 30 g unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
- 200 ml cooking cream
- 1/2 tablespoon sugar (to balance the acidity of the tomatoes)
- 1 Maggi cube (or another preferred seasoning)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Practical tip: Choose high-quality, preferably seasonal tomatoes, as they are more flavorful and richer in nutrients. Ripe tomatoes contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps maintain health.
Preparing the soup:
Step 1: Prepare the vegetables. Start by finely chopping the white onion, carrots, and celery. Make sure the carrots are cut into equal-sized cubes for even cooking. If using green onion, chop the leaves as finely as possible.
Step 2: Heat the olive oil and butter. In a large pot, add the butter and olive oil, letting them melt together over medium heat. This mixture will add a rich flavor to your soup.
Step 3: Sauté the vegetables. Add the onion, carrots, and celery to the pot with butter and oil. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables become slightly translucent and release their aromas.
Step 4: Add the Maggi cube and water. Place the Maggi cube over the vegetables and add about 1 glass of water. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
Step 5: Tomatoes and basil. Once the vegetables are cooked, add the chopped tomatoes and fresh basil. These will give the soup a fresh and vibrant flavor. Mix well, add salt, pepper, and, if necessary, more water. Let it simmer for another 10-15 minutes.
Step 6: Preparing the cream. In a small bowl, mix the cream with a ladle of the broth in which the vegetables boiled. This step is essential to prevent the cream from curdling when added to the pot.
Step 7: Blend the vegetables. Turn off the heat and add the cream to the pot. Use an immersion blender to puree the vegetables until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can use a regular blender, just be sure to let the soup cool slightly before transferring it.
Step 8: Serving. Sprinkle grated parmesan on top and serve the soup with fresh, oven-baked croutons. These croutons will add a crunchy texture and a delicious contrast to the velvety soup.
Possible variations:
- If you want a spicier soup, you can add some finely chopped chili pepper along with the vegetables.
- Instead of cream, you can try using Greek yogurt for a lighter but equally delicious version.
- You can experiment with different fresh herbs, such as oregano or thyme, to give the soup a different taste.
Nutritional notes: This tomato soup is rich in vitamins A and C, thanks to the tomatoes and vegetables. It also contains antioxidants and is a light and healthy option, perfect for hot summer days. Each serving has approximately 200-250 calories, depending on the amount of cream used.
Serving suggestions: You can accompany the soup with a slice of toasted rustic bread or even a grilled cheese sandwich for a complete and comforting meal. Additionally, a glass of white wine or fresh lemonade pairs perfectly with this soup.
Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use canned tomatoes? Yes, but make sure to choose high-quality tomatoes without additives.
2. How can I make the soup more flavorful? Add more spices and fresh herbs, or a bit of flavored olive oil.
3. Can I freeze the soup? Yes, the soup can be frozen, but we recommend adding the cream after thawing to avoid separating the ingredients.
This tomato vegetable soup is more than just a dish; it is an explosion of flavors, a true feast for the senses, perfect for bringing sunshine to your table, even on the rainiest summer days. So, don’t wait any longer! Get your ingredients and prepare this delicacy. Enjoy your meal!
Summer is a season full of colors, aromas, and especially ripe, juicy tomatoes! Tomato soup is a classic dish that brings joy to our tables, being easy to prepare and extremely delicious. This recipe combines the simplicity of ingredients with the richness of flavors, offering you a memorable culinary experience. So, let's get to work and discover how we can transform a few fresh vegetables into the most flavorful soup!
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Number of servings: 4-6
Necessary ingredients:
- 1.5 kg ripe, soft tomatoes (preferably of Romanian type for flavor)
- 1 medium white onion
- 2 carrots
- 3 celery stalks
- Green onion leaves or 1 green garlic stalk
- A handful of fresh basil
- 30 g unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
- 200 ml cooking cream
- 1/2 tablespoon sugar (to balance the acidity of the tomatoes)
- 1 Maggi cube (or another preferred seasoning)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Practical tip: Choose high-quality, preferably seasonal tomatoes, as they are more flavorful and richer in nutrients. Ripe tomatoes contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps maintain health.
Preparing the soup:
Step 1: Prepare the vegetables. Start by finely chopping the white onion, carrots, and celery. Make sure the carrots are cut into equal-sized cubes for even cooking. If using green onion, chop the leaves as finely as possible.
Step 2: Heat the olive oil and butter. In a large pot, add the butter and olive oil, letting them melt together over medium heat. This mixture will add a rich flavor to your soup.
Step 3: Sauté the vegetables. Add the onion, carrots, and celery to the pot with butter and oil. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables become slightly translucent and release their aromas.
Step 4: Add the Maggi cube and water. Place the Maggi cube over the vegetables and add about 1 glass of water. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
Step 5: Tomatoes and basil. Once the vegetables are cooked, add the chopped tomatoes and fresh basil. These will give the soup a fresh and vibrant flavor. Mix well, add salt, pepper, and, if necessary, more water. Let it simmer for another 10-15 minutes.
Step 6: Preparing the cream. In a small bowl, mix the cream with a ladle of the broth in which the vegetables boiled. This step is essential to prevent the cream from curdling when added to the pot.
Step 7: Blend the vegetables. Turn off the heat and add the cream to the pot. Use an immersion blender to puree the vegetables until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can use a regular blender, just be sure to let the soup cool slightly before transferring it.
Step 8: Serving. Sprinkle grated parmesan on top and serve the soup with fresh, oven-baked croutons. These croutons will add a crunchy texture and a delicious contrast to the velvety soup.
Possible variations:
- If you want a spicier soup, you can add some finely chopped chili pepper along with the vegetables.
- Instead of cream, you can try using Greek yogurt for a lighter but equally delicious version.
- You can experiment with different fresh herbs, such as oregano or thyme, to give the soup a different taste.
Nutritional notes: This tomato soup is rich in vitamins A and C, thanks to the tomatoes and vegetables. It also contains antioxidants and is a light and healthy option, perfect for hot summer days. Each serving has approximately 200-250 calories, depending on the amount of cream used.
Serving suggestions: You can accompany the soup with a slice of toasted rustic bread or even a grilled cheese sandwich for a complete and comforting meal. Additionally, a glass of white wine or fresh lemonade pairs perfectly with this soup.
Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use canned tomatoes? Yes, but make sure to choose high-quality tomatoes without additives.
2. How can I make the soup more flavorful? Add more spices and fresh herbs, or a bit of flavored olive oil.
3. Can I freeze the soup? Yes, the soup can be frozen, but we recommend adding the cream after thawing to avoid separating the ingredients.
This tomato vegetable soup is more than just a dish; it is an explosion of flavors, a true feast for the senses, perfect for bringing sunshine to your table, even on the rainiest summer days. So, don’t wait any longer! Get your ingredients and prepare this delicacy. Enjoy your meal!
Ingredients
1.5 kg ripe and soft tomatoes, 1 white onion, 2 carrots, 3 stalks of celery, green onion leaves or 1 green garlic clove, fresh basil, 30 g butter, olive oil, 200 ml cooking cream, 1/2 tablespoon of sugar, 1 Maggi cube, salt/pepper