Creamy Tomato Bisque (Printable Version)
Velvety tomato soup blended with cream and aromatic herbs for a comforting starter.
# What You Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
05 - 1 celery stalk, chopped
06 - 28 ounces ripe tomatoes, chopped or drained canned whole peeled tomatoes
→ Liquids & Dairy
07 - 2 cups vegetable broth
08 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
09 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
→ Seasonings
10 - 1 teaspoon sugar
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
13 - 1 bay leaf
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
→ Garnish (optional)
15 - Fresh basil leaves
16 - Additional cream for drizzling
17 - Croutons
# How to Make It:
01 - Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, minced garlic, chopped carrot, and celery. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until vegetables soften and release fragrance.
02 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen flavor.
03 - Add chopped or canned tomatoes, vegetable broth, sugar, dried thyme, dried basil, and bay leaf. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
04 - Remove the bay leaf. Puree the soup with an immersion blender directly in the pot or in batches using a stand blender until smooth.
05 - Return soup to low heat. Stir in heavy cream and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Warm gently without boiling.
06 - Ladle hot soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, a drizzle of cream, and croutons if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It's genuinely silky and velvety without feeling heavy or overly fancy.
- The whole thing comes together in 40 minutes, which means you can make it on a whim.
- It tastes like comfort without requiring you to stand over the stove for hours.
02 -
- Don't skip the simmering step; rushing here means the vegetables won't soften enough to blend smoothly and the flavors won't have time to marry.
- Taste before adding salt—the tomato paste and broth already bring saltiness, so season gradually and taste as you go.
03 -
- Toast your croutons with a little garlic butter and herbs; they shouldn't be an afterthought but a intentional addition that adds texture and flavor.
- If your soup feels too thick, thin it gently with more broth; if it's too thin, let it simmer a bit longer or add more tomato paste, tasting as you adjust.