Comfort Essentials The Best Fennel Tomato Soup Recipes

ROASTED TOMATO AND FENNEL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat up the oven to 200° C / 390° F and grab a large baking dish or tray. Use a larger tray (ignore the first photo - I used it as it looked nice) and ensure there is a bit of space around each piece of fennel to get more caramelisation.
• Coat (or brush if wanting to use less oil) fennel, onion, cherry tomatoes and garlic cloves in olive oil and drizzle the onions in balsamic vinegar. Scatter with thyme leaves, sprinkle with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, cumin and chilli if using.
• Roast for about 25-30 minutes (flipping onto the other side half way through) until fennel is soft and caramelised on both sides.
• While the veggies are roasting, place squashed canned tomatoes and 1 cup of stock in a large pot. Allow it to come to boil and simmer, covered until tomatoes fall apart.
• Transfer all the roasted veggies (deglaze the pan with hot water and add that too) to a blender with some stock, simmered tinned tomatoes and a jarred pepper (if using). Blend until smooth.
• Transfer to back to the pot you used to cook canned tomatoes, warm up and season to taste, with more salt, pepper, balsamic or sweetener if needed. Dilute with a bit more stock if needed.
• Serve with swirl of cashew cream on top and homemade croutons or spiced chickpeas for more substance .
• Cut the bread into an even dice. I went for small 0.5 cm / 0.2" cubes.
• If your bread is fresh, like mine was, toast it on a dry stainless steel pan first until dry and barely toasted. Otherwise the croutons will be greasy.
• Once the cubes of bread are dry, remove them from the pan and wipe the pan with a clean kitchen towel.
• Return the pan to the stove and heat up the oil slowly. Once the oil gets hot, throw the bread cubes in and immediately coat them in the hot oil.
• Allow the bread to toast slowly in the pan, tossing it around from time to time. Season with a good pinch of salt and set aside for the soup.

TOMATO AND FENNEL SOUP

Steps:

• In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the fennel and cook, stirring, until it starts to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the celery, onion, and garlic. Cook, stirring, 5 minutes longer to allow the flavors to blend together. Carefully add the Pernod. (Caution! It could flame up.) Add the dill, celery seeds, and pepper. Add the vegetable stock and tomatoes, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and let simmer for 40 minutes.
• Remove the pot from the heat. Process the soup, in batches, in a blender or food processor fitted with the metal chopping blade until smooth. Add the butter, if desired, and stir until melted. Taste and check the seasoning, adding salt if needed.

COMFORT ESSENTIALS: THE BEST FENNEL TOMATO SOUP

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. I love the smell of fennel, and I love the taste of fennel. With that said, this soup is not overpowered with that wonderful spice. It has just enough presence to let your tongue know that it is there. I tried this with fresh fennel; however, toasted fennel did the trick for me.
• 3. There are a lot of canned tomato products on the market, and in this recipe, I am using Cento brand. If you are on the lookout for good canned tomatoes, you might want to check out my study on canned tomatoes: https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/soup/soup-other-soup/cooking-class-the-best-canned-tomatoes.html#page6 https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/sauce-spread-other-sauce-spread/removing-the-bitter-taste-from-canned-tomatoes.html?r=1
• 4. Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• 5. Add the oil and butter to a large pot, over medium heat.
• 6. When the butter melts, give the pot a swirl to mix the oil and butter, and then add the fennel seeds.
• 7. Allow the seed to toast in the pot for about 2 minutes, constantly stirring.
• 8. Add the onion, celery, carrots, and cook until the onion begins to soften, about 3 - 4 minutes.
• 9. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 60 seconds.
• 10. Add the tomatoes, and chicken stock, and stir to combine.
• 11. Add the basil, red-pepper flakes paprika, and bring to a simmer.
• 12. Allow to simmer for 20 minutes; adding a bit of salt and white pepper, to taste.
• 13. Remove from heat place in a blender, add the butter and cream, and blend until smooth.
• 14. Chef's Note: If you want it chunky, just add the butter and cream to the pot, and stir until combined.
• 15. Just before serving, add the lemon juice, and do a final tasting for proper seasoning.
• 16. Chef's Note: I like my tomato soup thick; however, if you want yours a bit thinner, add a bit more chicken stock.
• 17. Chef's Tip: We have some basic tomato soup ingredients going on here (tomatoes, onions, carrots, etc.). So, once the soup is finished, play about with the lemon juice, salt, and pepper, until you achieve the perfect balance.
• 18. PLATE/PRESENT
• 19. Serve warm with crusty bread. Enjoy.
• 20. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

COMFORT ESSENTIALS: AUTUMNAL TOMATO SOUP

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. Getting the "right" can of tomatoes will make all the difference to making an average tomato soup, into an amazing tomato soup. I posted two recipes: One that talks about selecting the right type of canned tomatoes, and another one that talks about getting rid of the bitter taste in tomatoes. I strongly suggest that you read through them when making this recipe. https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/soup/soup-other-soup/cooking-class-the-best-canned-tomatoes.html?r=1 https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/sauce-spread-other-sauce-spread/removing-the-bitter-taste-from-canned-tomatoes.html?r=12
• 3. You could use veggie stock, chicken stock; even beef stock, for a hardier flavor. However, I would stick to stock, and not broth.
• 4. If you want to make this a cream soup, add about 1/4 cup of heavy cream at the very end, and warm into the soup.
• 5. Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• 6. OPTIONAL STEP Go to my article on removing the bitter taste from canned tomatoes, follow the enclosed steps, and then reserve. This is an optional step; however, it will make a flavor difference to your tomato soup.
• 7. Add the oil and butter to a pot over low heat.
• 8. When the foaming subsides, add the onion, and leeks, then cook until they soften, but do not brown, about 10 - 15 minutes.
• 9. Add the celery and cook an additional 5 minutes.
• 10. Add the garlic and cook an additional 2 minutes.
• 11. Chef's Note: We are looking for a low, slow heating process here. I want the veggies to release some of their liquids and get to know each other. If, at any time, the veggies look like they are browning, lower the heat. As a matter of fact, I would say that at this point in the recipe, we are sweating the veggies not cooking them.
• 12. Chef's Note: Since the heat is low, low, it will not hurt the veggies if you allow them to sweat for another 15 or so minutes. Just be absolutely sure that they do not brown. The longer you sweat the veggies, the more intense the flavor will be.
• 13. Add the flour and stir for 2 - 3 minutes.
• 14. Add the stock, and reserved tomatoes, stir to combine, and bring up to a simmer.
• 15. Start with the sugar... Give the soup a taste, if it still has a bitter taste, add a pinch or two of sugar. If you followed the steps in my other post, it should not have a bitter taste; however, a small bit of sugar can go a long way to removing any bitterness.
• 16. Add salt, pepper, and a pinch of red-pepper flakes to taste.
• 17. Cover, reduce the heat to low, then allow the soup to simmer for about 30 - 40 minutes.
• 18. Allow the soup to cool slightly, and puree in a blender or food processor, fitted with an S-blade.
• 19. Return to the pot and keep warm (not hot) until ready to serve.
• 20. Chef's Tip: Do a final tasting for proper seasoning.
• 21. Notes On Optional Items: Sugar can reduce the amount of bitterness in this recipe; however, a little goes a long way, and I do not want a "sweet" tomato soup. So, add a pinch or two at a time, give it a bit of time to incorporate into the recipe, and then add a more if necessary. Crushed Fennel Seeds: I cannot imagine a good Autumn tomato soup without a few crushed fennel seeds. Cumin and Cayenne: Cumin give depth, and cayenne gives heat. As the temps get cooler, I add a bit more of both of these spices... Helps to warm the soul. Lemon Juice: Added at the very end, it helps to brighten the soup up, and is a great addition.
• 22. PLATE/PRESENT
• 23. Serve warm, maybe topped with a bit of cheese; with crackers or bread on the side. Enjoy.
• 24. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

TOMATO-FENNEL SOUP

Steps:

• In 4-quart saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Cook fennel, onion and garlic in oil about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender. Stir in tomatoes, broth, salt and pepper, breaking up tomatoes with spoon. Heat to boiling.
• Reduce heat. Cover; simmer 20 to 25 minutes or until vegetables are soft.
• Carefully pour half of the mixture into blender. Cover; blend on high speed about 30 seconds or until smooth. Return to saucepan. Repeat with remaining mixture. Keep warm over low heat until serving.

TOMATO FENNEL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook and stir fennel, onion, celery, and garlic in the hot oil until tender, about 10 minutes.
• Pour tomatoes and chicken broth over vegetable mixture and simmer for 4 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and add basil and parsley. Cool soup slightly.
• Pour soup into a blender no more than half-full. Cover and hold lid down; pulse a few times before leaving on to blend. Puree in batches until smooth.

COMFORT ESSENTIALS: FRESH GARDEN TOMATO SOUP

Steps:

• PREP/PREPARE
• The Tomatoes As you know, there are all kinds of tomatoes; heirloom, plum, beefsteak, to name a few, and each type of tomato will bring its own unique flavor notes to this recipe. When I am talking fresh tomatoes, I am not referring to the tomatoes you get at the grocer... not even the "hot house" variety. If you do not grow you own, check out one of your local farmer's markets. If you cannot get fresh tomatoes, then my second choice would be good canned ones.
• After you blanch, skin, core, and de-seed the tomatoes, you should be left with 2.5 - 3 pounds (1 - 1.4kg) of yummy tomato goodness.
• The Sugar Tomatoes can be a funny thing to work with... Some can be sweet; others a bit on the bitter side. The sugar I have in the ingredients list should only be used in the final simmering of the soup. If it is a bit bitter, add some sugar, about a 1/4 teaspoon at a time, until you like what you taste. If it tastes fine, then leave it out.
• The Celery Salt Celery salt is salt that, for lack of a better phrase is, salt that taste like celery. You want to add it in small quantities during the final simmer. It really gives the soup a distinctive taste.
• Freezing the Tomato Puree Once you pulse the tomato flesh, you can freeze it before or after adding the dry spices. If properly sealed, it will last 6 - 8 months. I like to use freezer bags adding 1 pound (455g) to each bag (the quart size bags are perfect for this). Then, as the days get shorter, the nights get longer, and the temps begin to drop, any time I crave a recipe that calls for fresh tomatoes... I have them available.
• Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• BLANCHING, CORING, AND SEEDING FRESH TOMATOES
• Cut a large "X" in the bottom of the tomatoes.
• Plunge into boiling water, for about 60 - 90 seconds.
• Remove from the boiling water and plunge into ice water.
• After they cool, remove the skins; they should slip right off. With the skins off, remove the core.
• Cut in half and remove the seeds. I just use my fingers.
• Leaving the seeds in will make the soup taste bitter.
• Add the tomato flesh to a food processor fitted with an S-blade.
• Use 1-second bursts to break down the tomatoes.
• I do not try to puree the tomatoes; I like to leave some tomato bits.
• Add them to a bowl, and then throw in Dry Spices #1.
• Mix until combined, then cover and place into the fridge 4 - 5 hours, or overnight.
• This is going to help to infuse the spices into the tomatoes.
• MAKING THE TOMATO SOUP
• Add the bacon to a soup pan, or heavy-bottom pot, like a Dutch oven, and set the heat to medium low
• Slowly cook until the bacon crisps and renders its fat.
• Remove the bacon, and reserve for another recipe, or use them as a garnish on this one. Or, just eat them as a chef's treat.
• Add the onions, and cook until softened, about 3 - 4 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for an additional 60 seconds.
• Add the butter, and stir into the onions until it melts, then add the flour, and mix until combined with the onions and garlic, about 2 - 3 minutes.
• Add the chicken stock, and whisk until combined, then simmer and whisk until the stock begins to thicken, about 3 - 5 minutes. Make sure there are no lumps.
• Add the tomatoes, stir to combine, and allow to slowly simmer for an hour.
• While the soup is simmering, taste for proper seasoning by adding Dry Seasonings #2.
• I find I like to add a bit more of of the original dry seasonings. Not all of them... maybe some more cumin, a bit more dill. You get the idea. Good chefs taste as they cook.
• Adding the Milk, Half & Half, or Cream At the very end of the simmering process, you have a big decision to make. Do you want to add the dairy? In truth, it tastes great with or without; however, I really do like what it does to the recipe. If you are using the dairy, just add it in, stir to combine, then allow to heat back up and serve.
• PLATE/PRESENT
• Serve while nice and hot with some toasted crostini's, croutons, maybe a dollop of sour cream, and how about a nice grilled cheese sandwich. Enjoy.
• Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

TOMATO FENNEL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in medium stockpot over medium-low.
• Add fennel, shallots and carrot, cook until very soft but not brown, stirring occasionally.
• This will take about 15 minutes.
• Add tomatoes and 1/2 cup broth, bring to boil over high heat.
• Reduce heat and simmer gently for 15 minutes (uncovered), stirring occasionally.
• Transfer to blender or food processor in batches (I used an immersion blender right in the pan), and process until smooth.
• Adjust the seasonings, and add more veggie broth if necessary to achieve your desired consistency.
• Serve hot, garnished with the chopped fennel leaves.
• This soup reheats well.

TOMATO-FENNEL SOUP WITH BRIE TOASTS

Steps:

• Melt 6 tablespoons butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add fennel, onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Toss to combine. Reduce heat to medium-low. Partly cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are very tender, about 20 minutes. Stir in garlic and chile powder; cook 1 minute. Stir in Pernod and cook until almost completely evaporated, about 3 minutes.
• Pour in tomatoes, 1 1/2 cups water and the stock. Bring to a simmer and cook gently, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Season with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and the black pepper. Purée soup in batches using a blender or immersion blender until smooth.
• Transfer soup back to pot over medium heat; simmer until slightly thickened, 5 to 10 minutes more. Scrape down sides and bottom of pot occasionally. Remove from heat and cover to keep warm.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spread bread slices on a large baking sheet. Bake until light golden, about 10 minutes.
• Toast fennel seeds in a small skillet over medium heat until fragrant and lightly colored, 2 to 3 minutes. Melt in remaining 1 tablespoon butter.
• Adjust oven temperature to broil and position rack 6 inches from heat. Brush toasts with fennel-seed butter and top with Brie. Return to oven and broil until bubbly and golden, 1 to 3 minutes (check every minute or so to see that they are not burning). Ladle soup into bowls and top with a cheese crouton. Garnish with fennel fronds.