THICKENING TOMATO SOUP RECIPES

Steps:

• Peel shallots and garlic and finely chop. Rinse tomatoes, remove stalks, blanch in a pot of hot water, drain, rinse with cold water, peel and cut into cubes. Cut crusts from bread and cut into cubes. In a saucepan, heat butter and sauté shallots and garlic for 1-2 minutes until translucent.
• Add bread and cook for a few minutes. Add diced tomatoes and tomato paste, cook briefly and then add wine and broth and season with salt, pepper and oregano. Simmer over medium heat for 10-15 minutes and season the soup again to taste. Serve soup in preheated soup bowls garnished with basil.

Steps:

• In a bowl combine 2 cups tomato juice with crushed tomatoes and milk.
• In a saucepan melt the butter over medium-high heat.
• Add in onion and dried oregano; saute until softened (about 3 minutes).
• Add in garlic and red pepper flakes; cook stirring for 2 minutes.
• Add in flour and stir for 1 minute.
• Slowly add in the tomato/milk mixture whisking constantly to remove any lumps; bring to a boil stirring frequently until bubbly and thickened, then season with sugar, salt and pepper (the mixture will be quite thick).
• Reduce heat to low, add in remaining 1 cup of tomato juice (or more) and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour (can simmer longer if desired, if the soup is still too thick for your liking add in more tomato juice and keep seasoning with salt and pepper if needed during cooking).
• Ladle into bowl then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and croutons if desired.
• Delicious!