Smoky Tomato Soup

Yields 4 cups

by Tony Rosenfeld
from Big Buy Cooking
Last Edit Date: 2/28/2011 11:42:29 AM

A combination of bacon and smoked paprika gives this tomato soup a strong profile that goes perfectly with a gooey grilled cheese sandwich. Go with the sweet pimentón for a rich taste with little heat, or try the hot for a spicier kick in the soup.

more about:

1 Tbs. olive oil
3 thick strips bacon (about 3 oz.), thinly sliced
1 large yellow onion, diced (about 1-1/2 cups)
Kosher salt
1 Tbs. unbleached all-purpose flour
1 Tbs. chopped fresh thyme
1/2 tsp. sweet or hot pimentón (smoked paprika)
One 28-oz. can whole tomatoes and their juices (3 cups) (preferably San Marzano)
2 cups lower-salt chicken broth
2 Tbs. heavy cream
Freshly ground black pepper

Put the oil in a large saucepan, add the bacon, and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the bacon renders most of its fat, about 5 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels; let drain and cool, and then coarsely chop. Add the onion and 1/2 tsp. salt to the pan and cook, stirring, until the onion softens and starts to brown lightly, about 5 minutes. Stir in the flour, 2 tsp. thyme, and the pimentón, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and chicken broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover with the lid slightly ajar, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and the flavors meld, about 15 to 20 minutes. Using an immersion blender or working in batches in a regular blender, purée the soup. Return the soup to the pan, stir in the cream, and bring to a boil. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed, ladle the soup into serving bowls and serve sprinkled with the bacon pieces and the remaining thyme.

Serving Suggestions

What better partner for tomato soup than a Classic Grilled Cheese? Or to mix it up a little, try a Grilled Goat Cheese Sandwich with Tapenade.

Photo: Maren Caruso

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by Zigdogthecat, 7/6/2012This is my easy comfort go to recipe. Absolutely wonderful with a grilled cheese! Lisa http://goodfaithcarpetcleaning.com/carpet-cleaning-chino-hills-ca/

by capsaiCyn, 5/26/2012Easy and yummy soup that is a different take on the traditional tomato soup. It was great with grilled cheese sandwiches.

by notesondinner, 2/16/2012Fantastic and fast. Appealing to both adults and children - we all loved this soup. I made the recipe just as written and it was wonderful. With the soup I served grilled cheese sandwiches as suggested. I used a buffalo taleggio, Prosciutto and grilled salt and pepper asparagus and put them in the panini press. It was a very fast and delicious meal.

by Jaggs, 2/15/2012I am rating this for the idea not the recipe...I make it all the time using tomato soup instead of the tomatoes...saves on time!

by perilla, 9/1/2011Just made it last night for some grilled cheese sandwiches. The recipe is pretty easy to make since you're using canned tomatoes. It tasted great but I did add extra spices because as it is, it needed a little more kick. That's why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. I added extra smoked paprika, generous amounts of fresh ground black pepper, and a little white pepper and a pinch of cayenne.

by MzSweetpea, 3/4/2011I just thought this soup was "okay"...not enough flavor came thru....going to add fresh dill, allspice and zest of an orange....that should do it!

by smclarty, 3/2/2011Might have been the tomatoes I used but I found this to be a little to "acidy" so I added one packet of sweetener and then it was perfect! Will definitely make again!

by ccmac1, 1/29/2011Simple to make with a complex taste. Plan on make it for lunch again next week! note: don't skimp on the tomatoes