30 minutes
A delightful blend of flavors and textures made with ripe tomatoes, crustless bread, bell pepper, garlic, and more. Perfect for a light meal.
Large Ripe Tomatoes, quartered
0 lb
Crustless Firm White Bread, dried
0 lb
Green Or Red Bell Pepper, cored, seeded, and quartered
each
Garlic Clove, crushed to a paste
each
teaspoons
to taste
to taste
Sherry Vinegar Or Wine Vinegar
tablespoons
Hard-Boiled Eggs, quartered or sliced
each
Tuna In Oil, drained
0 oz
1. Prepare Tomatoes
Begin by cutting the tomatoes into quarters, ensuring you remove any hard bits at the stem ends. This helps achieve a smoother texture in the soup.
2. Dry the Bread
Next, dry the bread under the broiler until it's firm but not browned, turning the slices once to ensure even drying. Once dried, grind the bread into coarse crumbs using a food processor and transfer the crumbs to a bowl.
3. Blend Bell Pepper
In the same food processor, blend the quartered bell pepper into a paste. This will add a fresh, slightly sweet flavor to your soup.
4. Blend Tomatoes and Garlic
Add the tomatoes and crushed garlic to the processor and blend until the mixture becomes creamy and smooth.
5. Add Seasonings and Oil
To the tomato mixture, add the sugar, salt, pepper, vinegar, and olive oil. Blend again until all the ingredients are well incorporated, creating a rich, smooth base for your soup.
6. Add Bread Crumbs
Return the bread crumbs to the food processor with the tomato mixture and blend briefly to fold them in. This step thickens the soup and adds a delightful texture.
7. Adjust Seasoning and Plate
Taste your soup and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary. Pour the mixture onto a wide platter, spreading it out evenly.
8. Garnish and Serve
Finally, arrange the quartered or sliced hard-boiled eggs and pieces of drained tuna on top of the soup. This not only enhances the flavor but also makes for a beautiful presentation.
You can introduce proteins to add a more substantial element to the soup. Consider poached and shredded chicken, chorizo slices, or even some seafood like shrimp or white fish. The key is to cook your protein choice appropriately before adding it to the core soup base to ensure it complements the flavors without overpowering them.
For a richer, more luxurious soup, you could blend in some heavy cream or a dollop of crème fraîche. For a dairy-free option, consider using blended white beans or soaked almonds to achieve creaminess.
Fresh herbs can dramatically change the character of your soup. Basil or thyme can be blended in for an Italian twist, while cilantro and a squeeze of lime might take it towards Mexican territory.
Enhance the soup with seasonal vegetables. Options like roasted bell peppers, zucchini, or eggplant can be blended into the soup or used as a garnish for textural contrast and flavor depth.
Introduce different spices to shift the flavor profile. A pinch of smoked paprika can lend a Spanish flair, while adding cumin and coriander could take it in a more North African direction. Adjust heat levels with chili flakes or a dollop of harissa paste.
Comments (0)