Everyone loves a bowl of warm tomato soup on a cold day. But tinned soups often contain dairy, and some contain hardly any tomatoes! So why not make your own? Don’t believe the marketing, homemade soup is far better than you-know-who’s cream of tomato soup!
This homemade tomato soup (It’s Liv B) is made with just 4 ingredients: a can of canned diced tomatoes, an onion, some vegan butter (Flora has no palm oil) and salt (plus optional dried basil). And water! You just simmer the ingredients, then cool a little and blend!
Read our post on food safety for people and pets (tomatoes, onion and garlic are unsafe near animal friends). Also bin allium scraps (onion, garlic, shallots, leeks, chives) as like rhubarb/citrus scraps, acids could harm compost creatures.
If you like making soup, two little tools will make life a lot easier. An immersion blender (just stick it in the soup pan to whizz up, to avoid the faff of using and washing blenders). And silicone Souper Cubes (sold in Lakeland), you can pour leftovers into these ‘big ice cube trays’, then just ‘pop a frozen soup’ out when you want to heat up on the stove.
Choose organic tomatoes (others are sprayed with pesticides). If growing your own, read our post on pet-friendly gardens (keep tomatoes away from pets), and never face indoor plants to outdoor gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows).
Homemade soup can also be adjusted to taste. Add basil or not. Decide whether to leave it chunky, or blend it smooth. Serve with crusty bread or sourdough toast, and a crisp green salad. Cool leftovers before chilling in a sealed container, for up to 3 days.
You can also make simple adjustments to vary your homemade tomato soup:
- Add roasted red peppers or a touch of smoked paprika.
- Add chilli flakes, or a swirl of chilli oil before serving.
- Stir in cooked lentils, for a heartier bowl.
- Add autumn/winter herbs (thyme or rosemary)
- Add grated carrots for sweetness
Troubleshooting:
- Too thin: Simmer uncovered for 5 to 10 minutes to reduce.
- Too thick: Add water, a splash at a time.
- Too acidic: Add a pinch of sugar or a splash of coconut milk.
- Flat flavour: Increase salt slightly, add black pepper and fresh basil.
Real fresh tomatoes (not in tinned soup) are rich in vitamins A and C (plus potassium, good for your muscles). The fibre in real fresh tomatoes is good for your heart and digestion, and helps you to feel full. Without having to eat half a loaf of bread, with your bowl of tomato soup!
If you do choose canned tomato soup, look for organic brands like Suma. Pop the ring-pull over the can before recycling, to help avoid wildlife getting stuck inside.
