French Tomato Soup
Classic French tomato soup with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh herbs, and crème fraîche. Blended until velvety smooth. It's loved for its authentic, sunny flavour and is a classic recipe rooted in farmhouse tradition. Brilliant with summer tomatoes, perfectly decent with tinned ones in winter. Serve with golden croutons and crusty bread.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 1 onion white or yellow
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 700 gr tomatoes or use tinned with no additives in winter
- 6 sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil best
- 1 carrot optional, for sweetness
- 750 ml vegetable stock or homemade vegetable broth
- 2 sprigs thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tbsp crème fraîche optional, for serving
- 1 handful basil optional, for serving
- 1 baguette for croutons
- salt and black pepper
Equipment
- 1 dutch oven minimum 4l capacity
- 1 knife
- 1 food processor or Immersion blender (stick blender)
- 1 ladle
Instructions
- 1. Prepare the vegetablesHeat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot on medium. Sauté onion and carrot gently until translucent (about 3 minutes). Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, do not let it brown.
- 2. Build base flavour Stir in tomato paste and chopped sun-dried tomatoes, cook for 2 minutes to develop depth.
- 3. SimmerAdd fresh tomatoes, thyme, bay leaf, vegetable stock, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a gentle boil, then lower to a simmer. Cover and cook 25–30 minutes, stirring only occasionally.
- 4. BlendRemove bay leaf and thyme stems. Blitz the soup with a hand blender until completely smooth and creamy. Add salt and black pepper to taste.
- 5. Prepare croutonsWhile the soup finishes, cube the bread, toss with olive oil, and bake at 180°C for 10 minutes, top with a little cheese if desired.
- 6. Finish and garnish Stir in crème fraîche if using, ladle into bowls. Garnish with torn fresh basil and hot croutons!
Notes
- Authentic tip: Some French cooks add a little honey, or finish with a swirl of cream for extra velouté texture.
- Use best local tomatoes in late summer, the soup is only as good as your produce!
- Sun-dried tomatoes mimic the intensity found in Provençal versions; substitute with tomato powder if you prefer.