This post was originally going to be about tonight’s Halloween get together and how I’m going to make this deliciously tasty tomato soup for my Smudge’s ghoul-friends and their families before we hit the streets to trick. And treat.
But I can’t write this post without thinking of all of the people in the Northern United States without power, heat, transportation and possibly food or fresh water due to yesterday’s blast named Hurricane Sandy.
Thanks to a past life of living in Los Angeles where an afternoon rain shower got more coverage from media hawkers than wars abroad, I’m sometimes wary of predictions that dictate doom and gloom with the televised talking heads designating the “storm of the century.” Are they hype or hot air?
Following the absolute devastation of the tropical storm surge in Thailand or the equally disasterous Hurricane Katrina, I doubt I’ll ever again take weather warnings with a disparaging shrug, especially when they’re coupled with offshore forces. Instead I’ll be oh-so grateful there are plenty of very smart people in the world assigned the very important task of creating awareness, to the amazingly brave souls who put their lives on the line to keep us safe in the process, and to the diligent masses charged with figuring out how to clean it all up and restore our cities to their former selves.
Oh mother nature, what is going on?
Hurricanes and record snow temps on the east coast while here in Utah we will be breaking Halloween records as we bask in 74 degree trick or treating temps. What happened to the days when I had to wear a coat OVER my beloved Halloween costume? Smudge’s face paint will surely be dripping down her vampire Utah Ute cheerleader face!
But there will be soup. Tomato soup. Perfect for dunkin’. So what more needs to be said about that?
Just this:
1. This is my roasted tomato recipe and I use it for everything. Well, except for cupcakes. But almost everything.
2. My daughter is obsessed with the tomato basil soup at her newly favorited eatery where they add orzo pasta. So now we do too. Why didn’t I see this video before? If I made it just like them I’d really be her hero.
3. I like my soup a little chunky, not too smooth, not so plain. I use an immersion blender to mesh all of the veggies but leave a few nuggets left over to savor.
4. Don’t worry too much about the tomato seeds, they fit right in.
5. Grilled cheese croutons. You’re crazy if you don’t.
Roasted Tomato Basil with Orzo Soup
Ingredients
- 2 ½ pounds tomatoes cut in half
- 4 cloves garlic smashed with paper on
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 sprigs fresh oregano or fresh thyme
- kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter divided
- 1 carrot peeled and chopped
- ½ yellow onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3 cups 32 ounces vegetable stock
- 1 5.5 ounce can V-8 vegetable juice
- 1 cup half and half or cream
- ½ cup slivered basil
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- 1 cup cooked orzo pasta
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place prepare a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper and place tomato halves on sheet, skin side down with garlic cloves. Drizzle with olive oil, toss with your hands and coat with kosher salt and pepper. Roast in oven for 15 minutes. Remove from oven. Discard herbs and remove paper from garlic and set aside.
-
In a large stock pot melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add carrot and onion, season with kosher salt and sauté for 5 minutes or until onions become translucent, about 4 minutes. Add tomatoes and reserved garlic and stir to combine. Add vegetable stock and V-8 juice and bring to a boil then reduce to simmer. Cook for 20-25 minutes until reduced by half and tomatoes are soft. Remove from heat and blend with an immersion blender until smooth. Add half and half or cream, orzo and slivered basil and cook for another 5 minutes. Add parmesan and garnish with additional basil.
You might think Tomato Soup is all the same, but you’d be wrong. Here are some delicious, and different, choices of soup that I for one have a serious crush on.
How Kristin could possible not share my love for tomato soup shows that we just might possibly NOT be sisters from another mother. But maybe since her mind has been changed with Dine and Dish’s Creamy Tomato Basil Soup, there’s still hope.
Erica knows the secret to surviving a cold spell is warming your hands with a hot bowl of Cooking for Seven’s Creamy Tomato Soup with Dumplings.
Straight from Jenny’s new book, Lori shares the secret recipe tomato soup faster than you can open a can that’s the perfect buddy for grilled cheese on Recipe Girl’s post for 10 Minute Tomato Soup.
A girl after my own heart, Aggie shares a heftier bite with soup in Aggie’s Kitchen’s Hearty Kale, White Bean and Tomato Soup.
Lydia knows soup. And this soup deserves to be knowing. Say hello to The Soup Chick’s Chipotle Red Lentil and Tomato Soup.
Tracy roasts habeneros, scotch bonnet peppers and tomatoes to spark the fire within thanks to Tasty Trix Rustic Tomato and Coconut Fish Soup.
Jess keeps it super simple and packed with good for you stuff to keep the sniffles at bay when this American living in Bangkok fires up the stove for The Inquiring Chef’s Garlicky Tortellini, Basil and Fire Roasted Tomato Soup. Hey, where’d the fish sauce go?
Have a safe and Happy Halloween everyone!
Related Recipes and Round-Ups
Spicy Hominy and Chicken Soup
Pumpkin Soup with Crispy Sage
Matzo Ball Soup with Chicken Meatballs and Homemade Chicken Broth Recipe
5 Gazpachos and a Blood Mary
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Averie @ Averie Cooks says
All of these tomato soups look amazing!! When I was pregnant, the only thing I wanted to eat was white carbs and the Nordstrom Cafe’s Tomato Basil Soup. That got to be expensive. Because I’d stop in the shoe dept on my way to the cafe :) Seriously great roundup! I need to get cracking on soup!
Kristen says
Heheh – this made me laugh Averie!
Blog is the New Black says
These all look divine!
Blog is the New Black says
These all look divine! Love tomato soup, etc.
Kathryn says
Love the idea of adding orzo to a roasted tomato soup; it’s like a whole meal in a bowl! And you’ve linked to some really delicious sounding soups too. I can tell I’m going to be on a soup-making bender this weekend…
Aggie says
I’ve been craving tomato soup more than ever lately. I haven’t ever roasted my tomatoes first, and I honestly can’t believe it! And the orzo is a nice touch.
We are breaking records in Florida with the coolest Halloween I’ve remembered in years. It will be nice to come back from trick or treating not a sweaty mess!
Thank you so much for including my soup in your roundup, it’s a favorite!
heidi says
Sounds like we have a bi-polar Mother Nature on our hands! Love your recipe!
[email protected] Totes Delish says
Ohh I can’t get enough of all your variations on tomato soup!!
Katie says
Nothing more comforting than tomato soup. A perfect tribute to those going through devestation because of the storm…wish we could package it up and send it there way!
(oh and those grilled cheese croutons…seriously. just stop it!)
Sandy @ RE says
Love tomato soup. I love to roast the tomatoes and freeze, then pull out of freezer and heat up and add cream. Delicious for winter months! :)
heidi says
Hi Sandy! I have two boxes of fresh tomatoes that I’m going to be doing exactly the same thing with this weekend. What’s your secret recipe for roast tomatoes?
Bev @ Bev Cooks says
These soups are goooooorgeous. I need a funnel.
Mother Omega says
Nice post Lang…..
Kristen says
I love it now – I really do! Can we still be sisters? ;)
We host an annual soup supper for our hood & then everyone brings their candy down to our house and sits in our driveway to pass it out to trick or treaters. The whole block puts up signs on their door to come down our way. It’s fun! Anyway, I love this soup so much now I’m thinking of making it tonight, but might add some pasta. Do you think that would taste good? Tomato Basil soup with some kind of orzo or something in it? Being new to the whole tomato soup loving thing, I don’t want to ruin a good thing!
Kristen says
And duh – I see yours has orzo in it at the bottom. Missed that! Yay! Never mind my dumb comment.
Sue T. says
The Tomato Basil Soup sounds fantastic and so easy. I can’t wait to make it!
Thanks so much!
marla says
Heidi all of these are so tempting!!! Such beautiful rustic soups!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
Ahhh this sounds so amazing! And just made me extremely hungry :)
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc. says
looks amazing Heidi! Happy Halloween!
Annalise says
Great roundup! I’m a new fan of homemade tomato soup, as growing up the kind my mom would serve from a Campbell’s can always grossed me out. But the homemade stuff in amazing! Can’t wait to try it with Orzo.
kelley {mountain mama cooks} says
They all look delicious though I’ve never met a bowl of tomato soup I didn’t like!
Lydia (Soup Chick) says
Thanks so much for including one of my soups, and for giving us all great ideas for new tomato soup recipes!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
Delicious! This sounds lovely!
Mandie @ Oh So Decadent says
I love roasted tomatoes and this soup sounds absolutely divine! Very excited to try this soup in the near future!
I cannot agree more with everything that happened on the east coast. I’m here in New Jersey and I can only give my thanks and gratitude to everyone who has risked their lives to keep us safe. So blessed that our community is working together.
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
OMG, LOVE this post! I think I am going to try every single recipe here!
Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen says
They all look so warm and cozy! I want to put them in a mug and sip them while wearing slippers!
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
Pure comfort in a bowl! I love it!
albertocook says
I love this
Jess says
Heidi – Greetings from Bangkok! Thanks so much for sharing my soup in this great roudup. I generally tend to leave the fish sauce out of my tomato soup, but you’ve made me start thinking that it might not be a bad combination. ;)
Lisa says
Oh.My.Goodness. May have accidently tried to inhale the screen – these look amazing. I recently just posted a roasted tomato soup but never even thought of adding carrots. or chipolte. or orzo. WOW. divine. As we enter the cold dark season I will be certain to try these. Great resource!
Soupernaturel says
We really love your blog!
Especially on all the different soups that you have.
Let us know what you think about our soups too!
what does vitamin c do says
Amazing blog! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you recommend starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option?
There are so many options out there that I’m totally confused .. Any ideas? Thanks a lot!
Bethany says
How much orzo goes in the soup?
Laura says
I make this soup at least twice a month. The whole family loves it – it is a cherished family recipe. Thank you!!
Diethealthcareblogspot.com says
So great and healthy recipe you share .
Thanks alot.