Quick Tomato Soup

Why make this?

It’s quick and tastes way better than it should, like it’s been simmering away all day. As with most of my recipes, this can be made from kitchen essentials and doesn’t need any extra fancy ingredients. This could be made with fresh tomatoes, but for speed, I do love love love a carton of organic passata. 

Why not pour it into a thermal flask and take it with you on a family day out, the ultimate winter warmer to heat up those chilly hands.

Who can eat this?

Vegetarians: For sure, this is the perfect meat-free soup for us veggies.

Vegans: Yes, for a touch of sweetness use soft brown sugar or maple syrup rather than honey.

Celiacs/coeliacs/gluten intolerant: Definitely, it’s naturally gluten-free, so no need for special substitutes. 

Kid-friendly: This is super kid-friendly as there are no ‘bits’ to contend with. I stirred some milk into my toddler’s, and she came back asking for more, success! She also insists that all soup be served in a snowman cup, even in June we get the snowman out.

Tip!

If you’re watching your calories, simply leave out the olive oil. I fry the onions for extra flavour when I have time, when I don’t, I skip it and pop them in raw. It still tastes delicious.

Recipe: Quick Tomato Soup

Makes 2 big bowls or 3 small ones

Ingredients

• 1 medium white onion
• 1 carton organic tomato passata (500g)
• 1 cup of water
• 1 tablespoon soft brown sugar (or honey if preferred)
• 2 tablespoons tomato puree 
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano or a handful of fresh if you have it
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

Soup maker method

1. Chop your onion into four.
2. Simply place all of the ingredients into the soup maker and set to smooth.
3. Your piping hot soup will be ready in about 20 minutes. Easy!
4. There’s usually a ‘keep warm’ setting so feel free to it make early in the day and let those flavours develop.

Slow cooker method

1. Finely chop your onion.
2. If your slow cooker has a removable pot to sauté then heat the oil and sauté your onion on the stovetop for 5 minutes until lightly golden.
3. Pop your pot back into your slow cooker and add in the other ingredients.
4. Cook on the high setting for 4 hours.
5. Blitz with a soup wand if you’d like an ultra-smooth texture.

Pot method

1. Finely chop your onion.
2. Heat the oil in your pot and sauté your onion for 5 minutes or until lightly golden.
3. Add in the other ingredients and simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Blend with a soup wand if you like it silky smooth.

Serving suggestions

• Grilled cheese
• Pesto cheese toastie
• Baked potato
• Herby croutons
• Cheese scones