15 minutes
Escape the ordinary with this homemade tomato soup that surpasses any store-bought variety. Rich, creamy, and bursting with flavor, this slow-cooker delight is a cozy meal for any day.
Onion, finely chopped
each
tablespoons
tablespoons
Brown Sugar, packed
tablespoons
tablespoons
to taste
to taste
pinches
Diced Tomatoes, with juice
0 cans
cups
each
cups
teaspoons
1. Prep Onion Mixture
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chopped onion, butter, flour, brown sugar, tomato paste, ½ teaspoon salt, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Microwave this mixture, stirring occasionally, until the onion is tender and the aroma is sweet and piquant, about 5 minutes. Once done, carefully transfer it to your slow cooker.
2. Add Tomato Broth
To the slow cooker, add in the diced tomatoes along with their juice, your choice of chicken or vegetable broth, and the bay leaves. Cover with the lid and let the slow cooker work its magic, melding the flavors together on low heat for 4 to 6 hours, or on high for 3 to 5 hours.
3. Remove and Discard Bay Leaves
Once the cooking time is complete, fish out the bay leaves and discard them - their job of infusing flavor is done.
4. Puree Soup
In batches for safety, transfer the soup to a blender. Puree the mixture until it reaches a smooth, silky consistency, which typically takes about 1 to 2 minutes per batch. After blending, pour the soup back into the slow cooker.
5. Add Final Touches
Stir the heavy cream and dry sherry into the soup, combining them thoroughly for that luxurious texture and depth of flavor. If the soup feels too thick, adjust its consistency with a splash of hot broth until it's just right. Taste, and season with more salt and pepper as your palate desires.
For a slow-cooked recipe, Roma or San Marzano tomatoes are ideal due to their lower moisture content and sweeter taste. Heirloom varieties can also add exceptional depth of flavor when in season.
Slow cooking on low heat allows flavors to meld and deepen over time, resulting in a more nuanced and richly flavored sauce.
Use high-quality extra-virgin olive oil, fresh basil, and, if possible, organic tomatoes to ensure the freshness and quality of these ingredients are evident in the final dish.
Consider roasting the tomatoes before adding them to the slow cooker to concentrate the flavors and add a subtle smokiness, bringing an additional layer of complexity to the dish.
Use an immersion blender to puree the sauce directly in the slow cooker for better control over the consistency.
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