Steve's Tomato-Basil Soup

       5 out of 5 stars  
8 Servings
100% would make this recipe for Steve's Tomato-Basil Soup again.

A terrific warming soup for the winter months. Inspired by an attempt to replicate the tomato-basil soup from Gordon Biersch, a San Francisco-based microbrewer with restaurants in CA and Seattle.

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Steve's Tomato-Basil Soup Ingredients

2 cans Crushed Tomatoes 2 tablespoon Vegetable oil
2 cups Chicken broth or vegetable broth for vegetarians1 cup Cream
1 bunch Fresh basil -- appliance required: blender or food processor
1 large Shallot 3 tablespoon Sugar more as desired
1/2 whole Onion diced Ground pepper to taste
3 cloves Garlic sliced

Instructions for Steve's Tomato-Basil Soup

In a large stockpot, heat vegetable oil over medium-low heat. Add sliced garlic, finely diced shallots and onion. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until onion starts to caramelize.

Add cans of crushed tomatoes; add sugar. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 5-10 minutes. Stir in chicken broth. Remove from heat and let cool a bit. Working in batches, puree the soup mixture in a blender or liquid-tight food processor. (NOTE: Heated liquid expands tremendously when you try to puree it -- only fill it halfway full at most, each time!) Put pureed mixture in a bowl, then rinse the stockpot out and put pureed soup base back in.

OPTIONAL: If you'd like a smooth texture to the soup, you should cool it and strain it at this point, working in batches, with a sieve. (I prefer the more rustic texture of pureed but unstrained soup.)

It can remain in this state (refrigerated) for a few days, until ready to serve.

To serve, bring tomato soup mixture to medium heat, and then stir in cream. (In this way, you are keeping the cream out of the pureeing step -- which might whip it -- and also the heating-to-boiling step -- which might curdle it.)

Top with basil, rolled gently and sliced very thinly (i.e., chiffonade). Serve with crusty bread, salad, or cheese toasts; pair with a crisp Pinot Grigio or Savignon Blanc, or even a deep red like a Cabernet.

Main Ingredient: TomatoesCuisine: Italian

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I made this recipe without the cream. I also used my fresh basil from the garden. Simple, delicious... Was perfect for my light lunch at work.

BigOven member

sookieskitchen
on Aug 17 2008 6:47PM

My husband made this soup- he really liked it. He took some to work and shared it with a coworker who told him that it was the best tomato soup she'd ever tasted!

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Lily933
on Aug 2 2008 2:39PM
Total Time: 1:30
Active time: 0:45

This soup is fantastic and so easy to make! It is as good as any restaurant tomato basil. Thanks so much!

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steveaggie
on Jun 8 2008 5:42PM

Very simple and tasty recipe. I used 1 Tbs dried basil instead of fresh, adding along with tomatoes and sugar. An immersion blender works great for the pureeing.

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eddiec
on Nov 11 2007 5:33PM
Total Time: 0:45
Active time: 0:00

Wife and I both agreed, it's one of the best tomato soups we've ever had. I added a touch of tabasco to mine. It was just what I needed while I had a cold!

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swibirun
on Aug 6 2007 9:07PM



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hungry1
on Jan 21 2007 11:20PM

[I made edits to this recipe.]

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BigOven Premium Member admin
on Jan 20 2007 1:55PM

Excellent, with or without the cream. I simmered for 10 minutes.

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sydvt
on Jan 20 2007 1:32PM
Total Time: 1:00
Active time: 1:00

Excellent soup, it's definitely a keeper.

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franky.the.pierre
on Jan 14 2007 3:52PM

[I made edits to this recipe.]

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BigOven Premium Member admin
on Jan 28 2006 5:17PM

[I posted this recipe.]

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BigOven Premium Member admin
on Jan 28 2006 5:11PM
Total Time: 0:30
Active time: 0:20



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