Rustic and provincial dishes are very appealing to me. I enjoy the rough edges and textures. This tomato soup has all the right elements; smooth, with bits of chunky vegetables and cheese covered croutons to soak up some of the delicious bisque. I can imagine being served this dish in an Italian or French country village.
It makes a wonderful appetizer, and hearty enough as an entrée. It can be made light and vegan by leaving out the cream.
Provincial Tomato and Canellini Bean Bisque
Ingredients
- 1 28 ounce can crushed fire roasted tomatoes
- 2 cups water
- 1 15 ounce can Canellini or white kidney beans
- 2 red peppers roasted, washed, seeded and pureed
- 1 medium onion chopped (1 heaping cup)
- 2 x 4 Parmesan rind
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ tablespoon fresh garlic minced (about 4 cloves)
- 1/2 cup celery diced
- 1/2 - 3/4 cup cream
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 teaspoons fresh oregano chopped fine (1/2 teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- optional:
- 1 teaspoon smoked sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- pinch of red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Place the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the onion, celery and sauté for 5-7 minutes.
- Add all of the remaining ingredients except for the cream and Cannellini beans.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce heat until you have a slow simmer.
- Add the Parmesan rind to soup.
- Allow to simmer for 20 minutes or more.
- Remove 3 cups of the soup and place into a blender, or, using a submersion blender, puree until smooth and then return to the pot (be sure not to put the Parmesan rind into the blender).
- Add beans and cream.
- Heat through and serve.
Notes
If you like a little kick to your food, add a pinch of red pepper flakes and if you like a hunk of smoke, add a teaspoon of sweet smoked paprika. If the tomatoes you are using are particularly acidic, you may want to add a little sugar to give the soup a more balanced flavor.
Gruyere Croutons
Ingredients
- 1 French baguette or Italian loaf
- 2 cups Gruyere cheese grated
Instructions
- Preheat broiler.
- Cut 2 slices of bread for each serving of soup.
- Sprinkle some of the cheese on each slice of bread.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Place bread under broiler until the cheese is bubbling and the bread begins to brown.
- Remove from oven and serve on top of soup.
Enjoy!
Discover more from A Nourished Life by Eva Marie
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Yum, I love tomato soup. It’s autumn in Australia know so pretty soon this will be the perfect dish for either lunch or dinner. I love the ‘new look’ to your site!
Thanks so much! Reworking the site is testing my css and html skills! You know how it is, always trying to up my game and grow. Hope all is well on your side of the world!