30 fresh tomato recipes

Tomatoes are humble enough to blend into the background of sauces and salads, but robust enough to star as the main ingredient in a dish.

21. Creamy tomato chipotle soup

The Gourmand Mom
This tomato soup a spicy, smokey flavor with the addition of a chipotle pepper. A bit of heavy cream balances the spice and gives the soup a rich texture.

By Amy Deline, The Gourmand Mom

Makes 2 generous servings

3 pounds ripe tomatoes, peeled and deseeded, coarse chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small red onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, smashed
1/2 cup vegetable stock
1 chipotle pepper (from a can of chipotles in adobo)
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
Cayenne pepper, to taste
Chipotle Tabasco Sauce, optional (for garnish)

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onion. Cook for 7-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender and translucent.

2. Add the garlic and cook for another minute or two. Add the tomatoes, vegetable stock, chipotle pepper, and tomato paste. Simmer over medium/medium-low heat for about 25 minutes, stirring frequently. The tomatoes should almost completely break down during the cooking time.

3. Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then transfer to a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth, then return to the pan.

4. Add the cream. Season with salt, to taste (about 1/2 teaspoon should do the trick). Add cayenne pepper, to taste, if additional spiciness is desired. Warm gently over medium-low heat.

5. Garnish with a few dashes of chipotle tabasco and homemade croutons.*

* For the homemade croutons, simply toss a few chunks of French bread in a bit of olive oil, season with cajun seasoning or any other seasoning, then bake in a 375 degrees F. oven until toasted, about 10 minutes or so.

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21 of 31

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