Description
Silky smoked tomato basil soup blends robust Mediterranean flavors with smoky undertones, creating a luxurious comfort classic. Deep roasted tomatoes and fragrant basil harmonize in this elegant dish perfect for warming hungry souls.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Vegetables:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) ripe Roma or vine tomatoes, halved
- 1 small white onion, quartered
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled
Herbs and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for extra smokiness)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves
Liquid and Dairy Components:
- 3 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup heavy cream (or coconut milk for dairy-free)
- 2 tablespoons butter (optional, for richness)
- Parmesan cheese (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the smoker by adjusting the temperature to a gentle 225F, selecting fragrant wood chips like hickory, apple, or cherry to infuse a delicate smokiness into the dish.
- Gently coat halved tomatoes, onion, and garlic with a vibrant blend of olive oil, seasoning them with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and a hint of red pepper flakes to enhance their natural flavors.
- Arrange the prepared vegetables strategically on smoker grates or a foil-lined baking sheet, ensuring cut sides face upward for optimal smoke absorption and caramelization.
- Allow the vegetables to transform in the smoker for approximately 112 to 2 hours, watching for a tender texture and subtle charring that will develop deep, complex flavors.
- Transfer the smoked vegetables into a blender, introducing fresh basil leaves to create a silky, aromatic puree that captures the essence of the smoky roasting process.
- Pour the velvety mixture into a large pot, introducing vegetable broth and dried oregano to build a rich, layered taste profile.
- Incorporate butter to add luxurious depth and smoothness, gently simmering the soup for 10-15 minutes to marry the intricate flavors and create a harmonious, comforting dish.
Notes
- Experiment with different wood chips to customize the smoky flavor profile, ranging from mild fruitwoods to bold hickory for unique taste variations.
- Choose ripe, in-season tomatoes for maximum sweetness and depth of flavor in the final soup.
- Consider roasting alternative vegetables like bell peppers or eggplant alongside tomatoes to create additional complexity and smoky undertones.
- For a dairy-free or vegan version, replace butter with olive oil or coconut cream to maintain richness without compromising the soup’s creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg