Creamy Tomato Bisque with Basil and a Touch of Chili Flakes Recipe
This rich and creamy Tomato Bisque is a comforting classic that elevates fresh tomatoes into a smooth, velvety soup. Enhanced with fresh basil, cream, and a hint of spice, it pairs perfectly with a grilled cheese sandwich for a satisfying meal that outshines any canned soup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 large carrots, diced
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
Tomato Mixture
- 2 (28-ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes
- 2 bay leaves
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
Flavor Enhancers
- 5 to 6 fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish
- 1 cup heavy cream, plus more for garnish
- Crushed chili flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the diced carrots and onions, then cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions turn translucent and the vegetables soften, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add Tomato Mixture: Stir in the whole peeled tomatoes along with their juices, bay leaves, extra-virgin olive oil, sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and chicken or vegetable stock. Mix until well combined.
- Simmer Soup: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover and cook until the carrots are tender, about 30 minutes. Remove the pot from heat once done.
- Blend Soup Smooth: Remove the bay leaves from the pot, then add fresh basil leaves. Use an immersion blender directly in the pot to blend the soup until completely smooth. Alternatively, let the soup cool slightly and transfer in batches to a blender to purée until smooth.
- Incorporate Cream: Return the blended soup to the pot if using a blender. Pour in the heavy cream and stir gently until the cream is fully incorporated and the soup is rich and creamy.
- Garnish and Serve: Ladle the bisque into bowls, garnish with additional fresh basil leaves, a drizzle of cream, and crushed chili flakes if desired for a touch of heat. Serve hot with your favorite grilled cheese sandwich or fresh bread.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
- You can adjust the thickness of the bisque by adding more or less stock depending on your preference.
- If you prefer a spicier soup, increase the amount of crushed chili flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- To make this vegan, substitute butter with olive oil and heavy cream with coconut cream or cashew cream.
- Leftover bisque stores well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.
