In this article, we will be learning about tips, tricks, ingredients, and processes on how to thicken tomato soup?
Soup has been around for a long time, dating back to 20,000 B.C. In China, archeologists discovered a burnt pot illustrating the making of hot soup.
The first-ever published tomato soup was in Eliza Leslie’s final publication, New Cookery Book, 1857. However, it got popular when Joseph A. Campbell introduced the condensed tomato soup recipe in 1897.
Fresh tomato soup, known as “Gazpacho” in Spain, was a summer favorite due to its refreshing flavor and the choice to be served cold. Tomato soup is now commercially prepared and available in condensed, dehydrated, and preserved forms. It is either canned or stored in cartons.
What is Tomato Soup?
It’s a soup made with blanched tomatoes that have been peeled and pureed to get a thick consistency. Tomato soup is known to be a comfort food that brings joy to the body and soul with its simple preparation.
Although canned soup is convenient just to pop open and dig in, homemade tomato soup is healthy and nutritious and contains no preservatives. So without further delay, let’s look into the recipe for making tomato soup at home.
Homemade Tomato Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups Tomatoes. fresh (peeled and chopped),
- 4 Cloves.
- 1 slice Onion.
- 1 tsp Kosher salt.
- 2 tsp Sugar.
- 2 tbsp Flour. all-purpose
- 2 tbsp Butter.
- 2 cups Chicken Broth.
Instructions
- Take a stockpot and add tomatoes, cloves, chicken stock, and onion. Simmer on medium heat for about20 minutes to let all the flavors come out. Remove the pot from the heat and blend the mixture in a food mill. Empty the blended mixture into a large bowl.
- Now take the same stockpot and melt the butter on a medium flame. Add in the flour and stir to make a roux. Keep stirring until the color turns golden brown. Next, start pouring out the tomato mixture slowly while constantly stirring to avoid lumps. The final step is to add the sugar and salt seasoning. Dish out in soup bowls and garnish with mint leaves. Bon Appetite!
How to Thicken Tomato Soup?
Soups need to have a standard consistency to be enjoyable. Excessively thick or too watery soups lack the element of indulgence. A thicker consistency may make it feel like you’re digging into a dip or spread. In contrast, a watery soup would taste more like tomato juice.
You need not worry about consistency anymore. Instead, let’s look into some simple tips and tricks to get the perfect thick consistency.
Slow Cook the Soup
This method uses the science of evaporation to get you the desired results. Then, all you’ve got to do is simmer your soup until the excess water is reduced. Another benefit of using this thickening method is that you can get more concentrated flavors due to a bit of extra cooking.
You need to boil the soup on a low flame and keep the pot uncovered to let the extra liquid find its way out. It is advisable to stir the soup every few minutes to avoid burning.
Add Bread Croutons and Cheese
This way of thickening your soup is by far the most delectable. The croutons are not only attractive, but they also aid in the absorption of the soup’s liquid. Cheese, on the other hand, is a universal favorite. Simply keep adding more and more cheese until you have a velvety smooth texture. The result is a delicious and filling tomato soup.
Add Tomato Puree
Adding tomato paste is an ideal way to achieve a thick consistency. The soup will be enriched with the goodness of tomatoes, and it is just a matter of mixing. This method saves time as it does not require further cooking. Just bear in mind to hold the seasoning for later. Mix the tomato paste in the soup and then add seasoning accordingly.
Prepare a Roux
As described above in the homemade recipe for tomato soup. A roux is made by mixing equal parts flour and butter in a pan and cooking it until it forms a mixture. It’s inexpensive and works wonders not only for soup but also for sauce. Butter adds to the creamy texture of the soup, making it divine.
Add Coconut Milk
This takes the soup to the next level making it lusciously creamy and enhancing its nutritional value. If you are not a coconut fan, you can use yogurt, full cream milk, or dairy cream as substitutes.
Use Flour
You need to prepare a semi-liquid mixture (slurry) of flour and water in equal quantity. Drizzle this mixture slowly over the soup pot while simmering at low flame. Continue to stir until you reach the perfect consistency.
Use Cornstarch
For this, you’ll need a cup of cold water. Add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the water and whisk thoroughly to avoid lumps. While the tomato soup is simmering, gradually add the mixture and cook until the desired thickness is achieved.
Use Eggs
Make sure you have an egg on standby if you’re making soup. When the broth has been removed from the heat, put one egg and slowly whisk it in. The egg yolk and egg white will slowly poach in the liquid, absorbing the flavor of the soup and the ingredients and giving your broth a hearty and rich texture.
Nutritional Value of Tomato Soup
Prevents Cold and Cough: Tomatoes are rich in Vitamin C, a natural remedy for the common cold. It also helps repair body tissues and has collagen to keep you looking younger.
Cancer Prevention: The folic acid in tomatoes is known to produce red blood cells, thus helping to block cancer at early stages.
The Bottom Line
It would be an understatement to describe tomato soup as merely mouth-watering and a tangy, refreshing delight. Tomato soup is delicious, and its creamy texture soothes the body and soul. Pair your tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich to provoke the feeling of nostalgia.