Smoked Tomato Soup

Name: Smoked Tomato Soup
Total time: PT0D0H0M
Yield: serves 6-8
Ingredients: 2 tbsp. mesquite wood chips for an indoor smoker; 3 lb. ripe plum tomatoes, cored and halved; 1 ⁄ 3 cup olive oil; 10 cloves garlic, finely chopped; 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced; 1 cup dry red wine; 2 cups chicken stock; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 1 ⁄ 4 cup roughly chopped sage; 1 ⁄ 4 cup roughly chopped tarragon; 2 tbsp. sherry vinegar; 8 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened; 12 baguette, thinly sliced on the bias; Microflowers, for garnish (optional); Creme fraiche, for garnish

Serves
serves 6-8

JAMES ROPER

Smoked Tomato Soup

In this twist on the classic comforting soup, tomatoes are smoked on the stove top before being reduced with red wine and puréed. The smokier taste to this soup compliments grilled sausage well in the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich—the Kumru. Get the recipe for Smoked Tomato Soup »

This thick, tangy soup from Ludivine restaurant in Oklahoma City gets additional depth of flavor from smoked tomatoes. This recipe first appeared in our August/September 2013 Heartland issue with the story Oklahoma Rising.

Find this recipe in our cookbook, SAVEUR: Soups and Stews

Ingredients

2 tbsp. mesquite wood chips for an indoor smoker
3 lb. ripe plum tomatoes, cored and halved
¹⁄₃ cup olive oil
10 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 cup dry red wine
2 cups chicken stock
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
¹⁄₄ cup roughly chopped sage
¹⁄₄ cup roughly chopped tarragon
2 tbsp. sherry vinegar
8 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
12 baguette, thinly sliced on the bias
Microflowers, for garnish (optional)
Creme fraiche, for garnish

Instructions

Step 1

Prepare a [stovetop smoker](https://www.saveur.com/article/Video/VIDEO-How-to-Make-a-Stovetop-Smoker/): Place wood chips in a small pile in center on bottom of smoker. Place drip tray and rack on top of wood chips. Arrange tomatoes on rack, cut side down, and slide on lid. Place smoker on a stovetop burner over medium heat. When smoke appears, let tomatoes smoke about 7 minutes. Turn off heat; let sit, covered, 10 minutes more.

Step 2

Heat oil in a 4-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat. Add half the garlic plus the onion; cook until soft, 5-7 minutes. Add wine; bring to a boil. Cook, until reduced by half, 5-7 minutes. Add tomatoes, stock, salt, and pepper; return to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, cook until tomatoes break down and soup is slightly thick, 45-60 minutes. Stir in sage, tarragon, and vinegar. Working in batches, puree soup in a blender. Return to saucepan; keep warm.

Step 3

Heat oven to 350°. Mix remaining garlic with butter, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Place baguette slices in one layer on a baking sheet; cook until lightly toasted, 8-10 minutes. Spread garlic butter on slices. Sprinkle with microflowers, if you like.