This is no mere tomato soup. Bistro Tomato Bisque is ten steps beyond tomato soup. Nothing compares to the velvety, indulgent, rich tomato broth, infused with cream and chicken flavor for succulence and creaminess. Simply seasoned but luxurious in texture and flavor, Bistro Tomato Bisque is the kind of soup that precedes the finest meal imaginable, or becomes a most welcoming and warming meal all on its own. The choice is yours!
Ingredients
For the bisque:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, roasted
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, plus more, to taste
Optional toppings:
- heavy cream, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, to taste, chopped into strips
- baguette, to taste, toasted, sliced into croutons
- freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Directions
Step 1 –In a large pot over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil.
Step 2 –Add the carrots, the celery, and the onions to the hot oil and cook until the onions are soft, about 5 minutes.
Step 3 –Add the roasted garlic to the carrot mixture and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Step 4 –Add the flour to the carrot mixture and cook, stirring constantly, until the flour is golden and the raw flour smell disappears, about 1-2 minutes.
Step 5 –Add the chicken broth and the diced tomatoes and their juices to the carrot mixture and stir to combine.
Step 6 –Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium.
Step 7 –Cover the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld together, about 30 minutes.
Step 8 –With an immersion blender, blend the bisque until completely smooth.
Step 9 –Add 3/4 cup of the heavy cream to the blended bisque and stir to combine.
Step 10 –Add 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the black pepper to the bisque mixture and stir to combine; taste the bisque for seasoning and add the extra salt and the extra pepper as needed.
Step 11 –With a ladle, transfer the bisque to individual bowls.
Step 12 –Serve garnished with the remaining heavy cream, the basil, the baguette croutons, and the remaining black pepper.
