Creamy Tomato Bisque II: A Heartwarming and Flavorful Recipe

Tomato bisque is a classic comfort food, perfect for a chilly evening or a light lunch. This recipe, Tomato Bisque II, elevates the traditional bisque with a richer, more complex flavor profile and a velvety smooth texture. It’s a versatile dish that can be served as a starter, a main course (with a grilled cheese sandwich, perhaps!), or even a sophisticated side. The key to a great tomato bisque is using high-quality ingredients, especially tomatoes, and taking your time to develop the flavors. This recipe provides detailed steps and instructions to ensure your Tomato Bisque II is a resounding success.

## Ingredients:

* **Tomatoes:**
* 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
* 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
* 1/2 cup tomato paste
* *Why these specific tomato ingredients?* Using a combination of crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste builds layers of tomato flavor. Crushed tomatoes provide texture, tomato sauce contributes to the overall volume and sweetness, and tomato paste intensifies the tomato flavor and adds richness.
* **Aromatics & Vegetables:**
* 1 large onion, chopped
* 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
* 2 celery stalks, chopped
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish
* 1 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)
* *Why these vegetables?* This classic mirepoix (onion, carrots, and celery) forms the aromatic base of the soup. Garlic and basil add further depth and complexity.
* **Liquid & Dairy:**
* 4 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth for a richer flavor)
* 1 cup heavy cream
* 1/4 cup dry sherry (optional, adds a subtle nuttiness)
* *Why broth and cream?* Vegetable or chicken broth provides the liquid base for the soup, while heavy cream adds richness and creates the signature creamy texture.
* **Fat & Seasoning:**
* 4 tablespoons butter
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
* 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
* 1 tablespoon sugar (or honey), to balance acidity
* *Why butter, oil, and sugar?* Butter and olive oil provide the fat for sautéing the vegetables, contributing to flavor development. Sugar or honey balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
* **Optional Garnishes:**
* Fresh basil leaves
* Croutons
* Shredded Parmesan cheese
* A swirl of cream or crème fraîche

## Equipment:

* Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot
* Immersion blender (or regular blender)
* Cutting board
* Sharp knife
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Ladle

## Instructions:

### 1. Prepare the Vegetables:

* Wash and chop all the vegetables. Dice the onion, carrots, and celery into roughly equal sizes. Mince the garlic. Roughly chop the fresh basil.
* *Why chop evenly?* Uniformly sized vegetables will cook at the same rate, ensuring they are all tender at the same time.

### 2. Sauté the Aromatics:

* In the large Dutch oven or pot, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery.
* *Why butter and olive oil?* Combining butter and olive oil allows you to achieve a higher smoking point while benefiting from the rich flavor of butter.
* Sauté the vegetables for about 8-10 minutes, or until they are softened and slightly translucent, stirring occasionally. Do not brown them.
* *Why sauté until translucent?* Sautéing the vegetables softens them and releases their natural sweetness, which contributes to the overall flavor of the bisque.
* Add the minced garlic, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for another minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
* *Why add garlic later?* Garlic burns easily, so adding it later in the sautéing process prevents it from becoming bitter.

### 3. Add the Tomatoes and Broth:

* Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Stir well to combine everything.
* *Why stir well?* Ensure the tomato paste is fully incorporated to prevent clumps and distribute the flavor evenly.
* Add the vegetable broth (or chicken broth). Stir again to combine.
* Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.

### 4. Simmer and Develop Flavors:

* Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will meld together.
* *Why simmer for a longer time?* Simmering allows the flavors of the vegetables, tomatoes, and herbs to meld together, creating a more complex and harmonious flavor profile. The longer you simmer, the richer the flavor will become.
* Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

### 5. Blend the Soup:

* Remove the pot from the heat. Using an immersion blender, carefully blend the soup until it is completely smooth.
* *Why use an immersion blender?* An immersion blender allows you to blend the soup directly in the pot, which is safer and easier than transferring hot soup to a regular blender. However, if you don’t have an immersion blender, you can use a regular blender, but be very careful! Blend the soup in batches, filling the blender only halfway and venting the lid to allow steam to escape. This prevents the blender from exploding due to the pressure of the hot liquid.
* If using a regular blender, carefully transfer the hot soup in batches to the blender, filling it no more than halfway. Secure the lid tightly, but leave a corner slightly ajar to allow steam to escape. Cover the lid with a towel and blend until smooth. Repeat with the remaining soup.
* *Safety Tip:* Always be extremely cautious when blending hot liquids. The steam can build up pressure and cause the blender to explode.

### 6. Finish and Season:

* Return the blended soup to the pot. Stir in the heavy cream and dry sherry (if using).
* *Why add cream and sherry last?* Adding the cream at the end prevents it from curdling. Sherry adds a subtle nuttiness and depth of flavor.
* Heat the soup gently over low heat, being careful not to boil it. Simmer for another 5-10 minutes to allow the cream and sherry to meld with the other flavors.
* Season with salt, pepper, and sugar (or honey) to taste. Start with the amounts listed in the ingredients and adjust as needed.
* *Why adjust seasoning?* The acidity of tomatoes can vary, so it’s important to adjust the sweetness and saltiness to balance the flavors to your liking.
* Stir in the chopped fresh basil.

### 7. Serve and Garnish:

* Ladle the tomato bisque into bowls. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, croutons, shredded Parmesan cheese, or a swirl of cream or crème fraîche.
* Serve hot and enjoy!

## Tips for Success:

* **Use High-Quality Tomatoes:** The quality of your tomatoes will significantly impact the flavor of the bisque. Use good-quality canned crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste.
* **Don’t Skip the Sautéing:** Sautéing the vegetables is crucial for developing the flavors of the soup. Don’t rush this step; allow the vegetables to soften and become translucent.
* **Simmer for Longer:** Simmering the soup for a longer period of time allows the flavors to meld together and creates a richer, more complex flavor profile.
* **Taste and Adjust Seasoning:** Taste the soup frequently during the cooking process and adjust the seasoning as needed. The acidity of tomatoes can vary, so you may need to add more or less sugar to balance the flavors.
* **Be Careful When Blending Hot Soup:** If using a regular blender, always blend hot soup in batches and vent the lid to prevent explosions.
* **Add a Touch of Spice:** If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the soup. You can also add a dash of hot sauce at the end.
* **Make it Vegan:** To make this recipe vegan, use vegetable broth and substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream or cashew cream. You can also use vegan butter.
* **Customize Your Garnishes:** Get creative with your garnishes! Try adding toasted pumpkin seeds, a drizzle of pesto, or a dollop of goat cheese.

## Variations:

* **Roasted Tomato Bisque:** Roast the tomatoes, onions, carrots, and celery in the oven before adding them to the pot. This will give the bisque a deeper, more roasted flavor.
* To roast the vegetables, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the chopped tomatoes, onions, carrots, and celery with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them out on a baking sheet and roast for 30-40 minutes, or until they are softened and slightly caramelized. Then, proceed with the recipe as directed.
* **Smoked Tomato Bisque:** Add a few drops of liquid smoke to the soup for a smoky flavor.
* **Spicy Tomato Bisque:** Add more red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeño pepper to the soup for a spicier kick.
* **Cheesy Tomato Bisque:** Stir in some shredded cheddar cheese or Parmesan cheese at the end for a cheesy flavor.
* **Grilled Cheese Croutons:** Elevate your croutons! Cut small grilled cheese sandwiches into cubes for a decadent and flavorful topping.

## Serving Suggestions:

* **With Grilled Cheese:** A classic pairing! Serve the tomato bisque with a grilled cheese sandwich for a comforting and satisfying meal.
* **With a Salad:** Serve the tomato bisque as a starter or side dish with a fresh salad.
* **As a Light Lunch:** Enjoy a bowl of tomato bisque as a light and healthy lunch.
* **With Crusty Bread:** Serve the tomato bisque with a side of crusty bread for dipping.

## Storage:

* **Refrigerate:** Store leftover tomato bisque in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
* **Freeze:** Tomato bisque can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. When ready to serve, thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it gently on the stovetop.

## Nutritional Information (approximate):

* (Per serving, without garnishes)
* Calories: Approximately 300-350
* Fat: 20-25g
* Saturated Fat: 12-15g
* Cholesterol: 60-70mg
* Sodium: 800-1000mg
* Carbohydrates: 25-30g
* Fiber: 5-7g
* Sugar: 15-20g
* Protein: 5-7g

*Note: Nutritional information is approximate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.*

## Conclusion:

This Tomato Bisque II recipe is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for any occasion. With its rich, complex flavor and velvety smooth texture, it is sure to be a hit with everyone. So, gather your ingredients, follow the instructions, and enjoy a bowl of homemade tomato bisque!