Today, Iâm going to share with you a delicious recipe for tomato soup, inspired by the famous British cook Delia Smith. This recipe is easy to make, healthy, and full of flavour. You will love the fresh taste of roasted tomatoes, the aromatic basil, and the crunchy Parmesan croutons. Letâs get started!
What is Delia Smith Tomato Soup?
Delia Smith tomato soup is a delicious and easy recipe for tomato soup, inspired by the famous British cook Delia Smith. It is made with roasted tomatoes, garlic, potato, onion, vegetable stock, basil, creme fraiche, and balsamic vinegar. It is served with Parmesan croutons and fresh basil. It is a healthy, satisfying, and versatile dish that can be enjoyed hot or cold, and with different breads and toppings.
Why You Should Try Delia Smith Tomato Soup
There are many reasons why you should try this tomato soup recipe, such as:
- It is easy to make, with simple ingredients and steps.
- It is healthy, with low calories, fat, and sodium, and high in vitamins, antioxidants, and fibre.
- It is delicious, with a rich and satisfying flavour and texture.
- It is versatile, as you can serve it hot or cold, and with different toppings and breads.
- It is perfect for any occasion, whether you want a light lunch, a hearty dinner, or a cosy snack.
Delia Smith Tomato Soup Ingredients
To make this tomato soup, you will need the following ingredients:
- 3 lb (1.35 kg) ripe, red, firm tomatoes
- 1œ tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped small
- 1 medium potato, peeled and chopped small
- 10 fl oz (275 ml) vegetable stock
- 1 clove, garlic crushed
- salt and freshly milled black pepper
- about 1 oz (25 g) fresh basil
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh basil, plus 4 small sprigs
- 2 rounded teaspoons creme fraiche
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
For the Parmesan croutons, you will need:
- 2oz (50g) bread, cut into small cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 dessertspoon freshly grated Parmesan
How to Make Delia Smith Tomato Soup
Step 1: Roast the Tomatoes and Garlic
The first step is to roast the tomatoes and garlic in the oven, which will bring out their natural sweetness and depth of flavour. To do this, you need to:
- Preheat the oven to gas mark 4, 350â (180â).
- Skin the tomatoes by pouring boiling water on them, and leave for 1 minute before slipping the skins off.
- Slice each tomato in half and arrange the halves on a baking tray, cut side uppermost.
- Place the garlic cloves on the tray as well, leaving their skins on.
- Season everything with salt and pepper and sprinkle a few droplets of olive oil on each tomato half and some on the garlic â about 2 tablespoons in all.
- Top each tomato half with a piece of basil leaf (dipping the leaf in oil first to give it a good coating).
- Pop the whole lot into the oven and roast for 1 hour or until the edges of the tomatoes are slightly blackened.
Step 2: Make the Tomato and Potato Soup Base
While the tomatoes and garlic are roasting, you can make the soup base with potato, onion, and vegetable stock. This will add some body and creaminess to the soup, without using any dairy products. To make the soup base, you need to:
- Peel and chop the potato, and place it in a saucepan with some salt and 1 pint (570 ml) of boiling water.
- Add the tomato purée then simmer for about 20 minutes.
- Peel and chop the onion, and add it to another saucepan with 1œ tablespoons of olive oil.
- Cover and cook gently for 10 minutes until soft, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Make the Parmesan Croutons
The Parmesan croutons are a great addition to the tomato soup, as they add some crunch and cheesy flavour. They are very easy to make, and you can do it while the soup base is simmering. To make the Parmesan croutons, you need to:
- Cut the bread into small cubes and place them in a small bowl.
- Add the olive oil and the olive paste, and toss them around until the oil is soaked up.
- Sprinkle in the Parmesan and stir the cubes around to coat them in that as well.
- Spread them on a baking sheet and bake on a high shelf in the oven for 10 minutes or until they are crisp and golden (do put a kitchen timer on because itâs so easy to forget all about them).
- Allow them to cool and leave them on one side until the soup has had its cooking time.
Step 4: Blend and Strain the Soup
When the tomatoes and garlic are ready, remove them from the oven, but leave it switched on. Then, you need to blend and strain the soup to get a smooth and velvety texture. To do this, you need to:
- Scrape the tomatoes and all their juices into a food processor or blender, and squeeze the pulp out of the garlic cloves to join the tomatoes. Discard the skins.
- Add the contents of the potato saucepan and whiz everything to a thick purée, not too smooth.
- If you want to, you can sieve the pips out, but I prefer to leave them in because I like that texture.
- Return the soup to the saucepan to reheat, and taste to check the seasoning.
Step 5: Make the Basil Purée
The basil purée is a simple but effective way to add some freshness and colour to the tomato soup. It also complements the flavour of the roasted tomatoes and garlic very well. To make the basil purée, you need to:
- Strip the leaves from the basil stems and place them in a mortar.
- Sprinkle them with half a teaspoon of salt, then bash the leaves down with the pestle. It takes a minute or two for the leaves to become a purée.
- Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the balsamic vinegar and stir well.
How to Serve Delia Smith Tomato Soup
To serve the tomato soup, you need to:
- Pour it into warm serving bowls and drizzle the basil purée on the surface.
- Sprinkle on the Parmesan croutons and garnish with a sprig of fresh basil.
- Serve with some ciabatta bread warmed through in the oven, or any bread of your choice.
Tips and Variations for Delia Smith Tomato Soup
- Use ripe, red, and firm tomatoes for the best flavour and colour. You can also use canned tomatoes if fresh ones are not available, but you may need to adjust the seasoning and sugar accordingly.
- Roast the tomatoes and garlic in the oven for an hour, until they are slightly charred and caramelized. This will enhance their sweetness and depth of flavour.
- Blend and strain the soup to get a smooth and velvety texture. You can also leave some pips and chunks for a more rustic feel.
- Make the basil purée with fresh basil leaves, salt, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. This will add some freshness and colour to the soup, and complement the flavour of the roasted tomatoes and garlic.
- Make the Parmesan croutons with bread, olive oil, olive paste, and Parmesan cheese. Bake them in the oven until they are crisp and golden, and sprinkle them on the soup for some crunch and cheesy flavour.
Other Delia Smith Soup Recipes
FAQs
How do I make Delia Smith tomato soup vegan?
To make Delia Smith tomato soup vegan, you need to replace the creme fraiche with vegan sour cream or yoghurt, and the Parmesan cheese with vegan cheese or nutritional yeast. You can also use vegan bread for the croutons, or omit them altogether. The rest of the ingredients are already vegan-friendly, so you donât need to make any other changes.- Related: Delia Smith Cauliflower Cheese
How do I make Delia Smith tomato soup gluten-free?
To make Delia Smith tomato soup gluten-free, you need to use gluten-free bread for the croutons or skip them entirely. You can also use gluten-free vegetable stock for the soup base, or make your own with water and vegetables. The other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so you donât need to worry about them.How do I make Delia Smith tomato soup more spicy?
To make Delia Smithâs tomato soup more spicy, you can add some red chilli flakes, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce to the soup, according to your taste and preference. You can also use some smoked paprika, curry powder, or harissa paste for some extra flavour and heat. Be careful not to add too much, as you donât want to overpower the natural sweetness and freshness of the tomatoes and basil.Final Words
I hope you enjoyed this recipe for Delia Smith tomato soup, and that you will give it a try soon. It is one of my favourite soups, and Iâm sure you will love it too. Let me know what you think in the comments below, and donât forget to share this article with your friends and family. Thank you for reading, and happy cooking!
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Notes
Cuisine: The cuisine for this recipe is British Cooking method: The cooking method for this recipe is mainly roasting, which involves cooking the tomatoes and garlic in the oven at a high temperature. This enhances their sweetness and flavor and gives them a slightly charred and caramelized texture. The recipe also involves simmering, blending, and baking, which is used to make the soup base, the soup purée, and the croutons, respectively.
