2.28.2010

Tuscan Tomato Soup

2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1-1/2 lbs ripe plum tomatoes
3-3/4 cups chicken stock
2 tsp tomato paste
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 ciabatta loaf, crusts removed
12 basil leaves, shredded
Extra-virgin olive oil, to serve

Preparation

Heat oil in a large saucepan. Add onion and garlic. Cook over low heat until soft.

Put tomatoes in a bowl. Cover with boiling water and leave 1 minute. Pour off water and cover tomatoes with cold water. Leave 1 minute. Peel tomatoes and chop roughly. Add to saucepan. Stir in chicken stock, tomato paste, salt and pepper and a little sugar, if desired. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes.

Just before serving, break bread into bite-size pieces and divide among four warmed serving bowls. Stir basil into soup and ladle soup over bread. Drizzle with a little extra-virgin olive oil and serve.

Yield

Makes 4 serving

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