Autumn remains my favourite time of year. I’m easily drawn to the warmth of our kitchen, pulling chairs in closer to huddle around the hearth with steaming bowls of soup. Easing us into soup season, I’ve made this simple sundried tomato soup. It’s uncomplicated and clean. It tastes of vine ripened tomatoes – slightly tart with flavours that sing red. To add depth of flavour, I’ve included sun-dried tomatoes.
A glistening bowl of red, creamy swirls and a scattering of basil – Quintessential classic Italian genius. The power of red, white and green prove yet once again how a few simple ingredients can deliver big flavours. According to my daughter, there are few things that don’t benefit from the addition of pesto. This recipe for this walnut and rocket basil pesto is one of my kitchen staples. It’s especially good for pesto chicken pasta and of course, wintery soups like this.
While tinned tomatoes are my go to pantry ingredient, I used fresh roma tomatoes for this recipe. The taste is fresher and more tomatoey. Use either, depending on what you have. I always recommend making double up. Soup freezes particularly well and is the best stand-by dinner. This tomato soup is ideal for freezing.
A simple sundried tomato soup
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 -3 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2kg ripe Roma tomatoes or the same weight, whole tinned tomatoes
- 6 large sundried tomatoes (preserved in oil)
- several stems fresh oregano, de-stalked and roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon sugar or xylitol (or slightly more depending on the acidity of the tomatoes)
- 1.8 litres chicken stock or vegetable stock , if doing a vegetarian version
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- large handful basil, roughly torn
- cream, to serve
- extra virgin olive oil, to finish
- Rinse the tomatoes under cold water. Cut into quarters and then halve once more.
- Heat the olive oil in a large, deep sided saucepan.
- Fry the garlic for several minutes over a medium heat, being careful not to burn it.
- Add all the tomatoes and sauté for about ten minutes until the juices are released and the tomatoes are softened.
- Stir through the sundried tomatoes, oregano and sugar. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Pour in the stock and simmer on a medium high heat without a lid for about an hour. You want the liquid to reduce quite substantially so leaving the lid off is key. Depending on the water content of the tomatoes, you might need to reduce it down for a further 15-20 minutes.
- Add the basil and cook for another minute or two. Transfer the soup to a blender and blitz until smooth.
- For an extra smooth consistency, strain the soup through a sieve. Return the soup to the pot and heat through. Correct the seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Drizzle with cream, extra virgin olive oil and a few sprigs of basil.
Here are several of the most popular soup recipes on the blog. The Harira soup is particularly good.
Harira vegetable soup with barley and quinoa
Roast sweet pepper soup with corn salsa
Roast butternut soup with chickpeas and leeks
4 Comments. Leave new
I’m going to make this, Di! Do you make your own chicken stock or do you use store bought powder? If you make your own, please let me know how you make it, and if you buy it – what would you recommend? Many thanks xxx
For the best flavour, homemade is always best. Alternately I’d recommend Nomu, the Woolworths brand or Ina P. For any concentrate version, I use half of the recommended measure. For me, it’s slightly too strong and salty which overrides the taste of the key ingredient – tomatoes, in this case. For a quick homemade stock – The carcasses of two roast chickens, 1 onion, 2 carrots, 2 sticks celery, 2 leeks if you have, 6 peppercorns, 3/4 teaspoon salt, a bunch of parsley, thyme and several bay leaves. Chop the veggies roughly, add to a HUGE pot, cover with 2-3 litres water and simmer away for several hours until reduced and flavourful. Strain off the solids and freeze the stock, ready for soups or risottos.
Thanks Di, that’s so helpful! I’m going to try the real deal… x
Made your sundried tomato soup with HOMEMADE stock. Felt very proud of myself, and it was absolutely de-licious!!! It’s definitely going to be a winter favourite in our home. Thanks so much, Di. x