The output of my tomato plants was disappointing to say the least, but I've people to take care of my needs. My buddy at work brought in a bag full of big, red, juicy maters and I took (probably more than) my fair share.
Since I couldn't possibly eat them all before they rotted, I decided to make some soup. It's still pretty toasty in these parts (it hit 90 degrees the other day), so I went the chilled route.
Sadly, I'd never peeled tomatoes before this, but it was pretty much as easy as breathing. Also, I had no idea that bread was involved in this sort of thing, but fortunately I had some really old bread lingering in my fridge that fit the bill quite nicely.
My picture is a bit misleading--this was an extremely pink soup. It looked unlike any tomato soup I've ever seen, and I can't figure out why. I suppose it was the type of tomatoes used or the fact that they weren't cooked. Regardless, it's a really tasty and light soup.
Cold Tomato Soup with Basil
(adapted from Mark Bittman)
2 slices stale bread
3 pounds ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and roughly chopped
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 cup chicken stock
Salt, freshly ground black pepper, lemon juice, and sugar to taste
Soak bread in cold water briefly and squeeze dry. Combine in a bowl with the tomatoes, basil, and stock. Using an immersion blender or other blending apparatus, puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, then add lemon juice and sugar to taste. Chill and serve.
Kelly of Sass & Veracity is about to celebrate her 100,000th visitor, so I want to use this delightful dish as my contribution to her party. Even Gordon Ramsey couldn't turn this away.
September 18, 2008
tickled pink
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43 comments:
I say I just love the colour although you say the picture doesn't do justice....
It looks so smooth - and this is a great idea for no-cooking. Holy crap, no heat required at all!
We've had the same problem with tomatoes in our garden this year. Your soup looks wonderful!
It sounds super refreshing and of course very vibrant. I really like Mark Bittman...
Oh, yum. I adore any cousin of gazpacho.
Great photo! I am glad you got some tomatoes! This soup looks fabulous!
I love tomato soup of any variety! But hasn't it turned colder in the last 2 days? I believe I'm about 60 miles southwest of you, and yesterday morning was a bit nippy!
Love this! It's like the "cooler", more refined cousin of gazpacho. What a great way to use garden fresh tomatoes!
I've never even had a chilled soup (I know I should get out more). It sounds so unsoup like. But this looks fabulous. Heck I love salsa so why wouldn't this be good. I will have to give this a try. Thanks for sharing.
Simple ingredients to make a delicious soup. I've never made a cold soup before - it sounds wonderful!
I'm not a fan of cold soups, don't know why but I've just got to have my soups hot.
What a fantastic way to make sure none of your seasonal tomatoes go to waste.
Mmm. . . love cold tomato soup. This looks delicious.
That looks great! I love anything pink! How original.
So simple fresh and yummy! Good for you for taking more than your fair share, we have all benefited from it.
Hoping that there's enough maters' out there for picking, would love to make this soup... looks yummy liscous!!
Cold soup? Well, I like salsa also, so this just takes it a step further.
Kudos on scoring the maters!
I would have never thought to do the bread step, but it sounds interesting! If you were closer, I'd send you some of our tomatoes!
I've always been a little weary about cold soup, because it just doesn't seem right to have soup any other way but hot! Seeing as our apartment is still a hotbox, I should reconsider. I ate oatmeal this morning and sweat profusely as a result.
If I'm to eat cold soup, this one will be it!
Grace I love tomatoes, I would probably bipass the spoon and put it in a glass and drink it!
This sounds refreshing, except, I'd have to eat mine hot because it's 48 degrees outside right now! :)
I'm not a big cold soup eater but as it's pink I'd definitely give it a go! :)
You had me at pink.
Seriously, I've only recently become acquainted with chilled soups...raspberry, cucumber...
If my tomatoes weren't so pathetic this year, I'd give this recipe a go. As it is, all my produce is stunted and cracked---what's that all about?
I can't believe you have never peeled tomatoes! My grandmother would have never served a tomato that hadn't been peeled and I am carrying on her tradition. I love the recipe for cold soup. I recently tried a hot tomato soup with bread - http://susancoggin.blogspot.com/2008/09/pappa-al-pomodoro-aka-tomato-bread-soup.html - and it was wonderful also. Love those tomatoes!
it's still pretty warm out here in SoCal, too. What a great way to use up tomatoes. Looks refreshing!
Oh I bet this was good. What's wrong with pink soup?
I want to be tickled pink! This soup sounds wonderful, and how cool is that that there's no cooking involved! How many tomatoes are there in 3lbs worth? Hmmm ... sounds like a math story problem!
I bet this was refreshing! Gordon Ramsey's got nothing on you ;)
You just got me thinking about work colleagues..I'd think twice about leaving that company if I would have colleagues like yours :D
It looks so gorgeous, but I still can't get my head around cold soups.
Maybe I should try it...
Oh my, this sounds refreshing. Whenever we cruise Ben orders every chilled soup the ship offers. I think I should take the hint and make this for him for once!
Grace this sounds fabtabulous! I had a great tomato veloute the other night (fancy name for, uh, soup, I believe?) and it was served with a little crostini with goat cheese - I bet it would go perfect with your tickled pink soup. Yummy!
I was just thinking I am going to make tomato soup this weekend!
I can SMELL it thru your blog :)
I'm not sure I've ever really had fresh tomato soup (not from a restaurant). This looks good (and I don't mind pink!)
Mmmm. I love this with a dollop of sour cream or creme fraiche on top. Mark Bittman has some wonderful recipes doesn't he?
Sign me up for a double 'o that Grace. I still haven't gotten my fill of the season's tomatoes, and I'm with you on the weather, too. Definitely not as hot here as where you are, but the sun's a shining and summer food is still in my heart! Thanks for joining in on the fun! Wait. You're bringing straws for that goodness aren't you? ;)
Ooh...I do love me some tomato soup, hot, cold or in between. Where was this idea when I was staring blankly at a box of tomatoes last week? Delicious.
i like the color, kinda looks like watermelon. i've had bread-thickened tomato soups, but never chilled - interesting.
between the CSA and the backyard, this is the first time i've ever understood what a tomato can really be. i am entranced.
You and I are on the same wave length - I made soup yesterday - What do I know but I find that when the tomatoes are really ripe and juicy, it seems to water down the brilliance of the tomato colour.
I love this type of soup - I even put dill in it and it's fantastic.
Sounds like it would be a very refreshing soup. Can't argue with very fresh tomatoes--the less you do to them, the better!
I love a good tomato soup especially a cold one when the weather is hot. Thankfully we are down in the mid 70s so I am hoping for some good old roasted tomato soup when I get home.
Heck yes, this one sounds perfect. I think it looks awesome!
That sounds sooo good. Nothing beats tomato and basil; this sounds perfect!
Maybe yuo are right and it is the non-cooking thing... My other half often makes gazpacho and it's also not the colour you'd expect. Sadly, my tomato crop is still in the vine and as green as grass. And, umm, we are fast running out of summer!!
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