Backyard Garden Tomato Soup Recipe 🍅🌿
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6 cups, approximately
Description:
Indulge in the heartwarming flavors of a homemade Backyard Garden Tomato Soup! Bursting with the freshness of ripe tomatoes and fragrant herbs, this soup is a delightful concoction perfect for a cozy lunch or snack. Even better, it’s vegan-friendly, kid-approved, and freezes wonderfully for later enjoyment. Let’s dive into the recipe and savor every spoonful of this comforting delight.
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1 tbsp | Olive oil |
| 1 1/2 cups | Onions, chopped |
| 1 clove | Garlic, minced |
| 2 lbs | Plum tomatoes |
| 4 large | Tomatoes, diced |
| 8 cups | Water |
| 8 leaves | Fresh basil |
| 8 leaves | Fresh mint |
| 3/4 tsp | Salt |
| 1 | Red chili pepper, sliced (optional) |
Instructions:
-
Prepare Ingredients:
- Gather all the ingredients – ripe plum tomatoes, fresh basil, mint, onions, garlic, and olive oil.
- Chop the onions, mince the garlic, and dice the tomatoes.
- Wash the fresh basil and mint leaves thoroughly.
-
Sauté Aromatics:
- In a 4-quart saucepan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add chopped onions, minced garlic, and sliced red chili pepper (if using).
- Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, then cover the pan, reduce heat to low, and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the onions are softened and translucent.
-
Simmer Soup:
- Once the onions are tender, add the diced plum tomatoes and fresh basil leaves to the saucepan.
- Pour in the water, and season with salt to taste.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer, uncovered, for about 15 minutes.
-
Add Fresh Mint:
- After simmering, remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Tear the fresh mint leaves into smaller pieces and stir them into the soup.
- Allow the soup to cool slightly before serving to let the flavors meld together.
-
Serve and Enjoy:
- Ladle the warm Backyard Garden Tomato Soup into bowls.
- Garnish with additional fresh basil or mint leaves, if desired.
- Serve alongside crusty bread or a simple green salad for a complete meal.
Chef’s Tips:
- Freezing: This soup freezes exceptionally well. Transfer cooled soup into airtight containers, leaving some space for expansion, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Customization: Feel free to adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or less red chili pepper according to your preference.
- Flavor Harmony: The combination of fresh mint and tomatoes is a match made in culinary heaven. The mint adds a subtle sweetness that beautifully complements the natural acidity of the tomatoes, eliminating the need for added sugar.
Indulge in the comforting flavors of this Backyard Garden Tomato Soup, and savor each spoonful of this homemade goodness. Whether enjoyed as a light lunch, a cozy snack, or a starter to a hearty meal, this soup is sure to become a household favorite!
