Description
This rich and creamy Tomato Bisque Soup combines fresh herbs, crushed San Marzano tomatoes, and a smooth roux to create a comforting and flavorful bowl of soup. Perfectly seasoned and blended to a velvety texture, this bisque is ideal as a warming meal or an elegant starter.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Soup:
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 2 sprigs of thyme
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- 15 ounces crushed San Marzano tomatoes
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon sugar
For the Roux:
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
- 3-4 tablespoons heavy cream (or as much as needed)
Instructions
- Warm Aromatics: Heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil over medium-high heat in a pot. Add 1 teaspoon salt, 2 sprigs thyme, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, and 3 tablespoons chopped basil. Cook for about a minute to allow the flavors to release and infuse the oil.
- Add Soup Ingredients and Simmer: Stir in 15 ounces crushed San Marzano tomatoes, ½ cup chicken broth, and 1 tablespoon sugar. Lower heat to medium once the soup begins to simmer and cook for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld deeply. Remove thyme and garlic after simmering.
- Blend Soup: Reduce heat to low and allow the soup to cool slightly. Using a hand immersion blender, gently blend the soup until it becomes creamy and has thickened to a smooth consistency.
- Prepare Roux: In a small pan over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon salted butter. Add 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually whisk in heavy cream, about 3-4 tablespoons, until the mixture is creamy and soft, resembling Greek yogurt in texture.
- Incorporate Roux: Slowly pour the creamy roux into the tomato bisque, whisking continuously to thicken the soup evenly and enrich its texture.
- Season and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper if desired. Garnish with fresh herbs, Parmesan cheese, or croutons as toppings before serving.
Notes
- If you enjoy onion flavor, dice one shallot and add it along with the garlic and fresh thyme at the beginning.
- To vary the flavor, substitute fire-roasted tomatoes and add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a smoky, spicy note.
- This tomato bisque pairs wonderfully with a grilled cheese sandwich for a classic comfort meal.
- Calorie estimates assume 4 servings, each being a quarter of the soup. Nutritional values can vary by brand and ingredients used. Consult a nutritionist for precise details.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
