Imen Dridi Julia Child’s Tomato Soup is made of unsalted butter, onion, canned or fresh tomatoes, and stock, seasoned with sea salt. Serving 4, it takes about 45 minutes to prepare, offering a rich, comforting taste with options for customization through garnishes.
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💓 Why You’ll Love This Tomato Soup Recipe:
- Simplicity: Uses basic ingredients for an easy-to-make comfort food.
- Rich Flavor: The combination of butter, onions, and tomatoes creates a deeply satisfying taste.
- Quick Preparation: Ready in about 45 minutes, making it ideal for a hearty meal with minimal effort.
- Elegant: Inspired by Julia Child, it adds a touch of sophistication to your table.
- Nutritious: Tomatoes are a great source of vitamins C and K, potassium, and fiber.
- Julia Child’s Legacy: Enjoying a recipe from one of the most beloved chefs adds a special element to the meal.
❓ What Is Julia Child Tomato Soup Recipe?
Julia Child’s Tomato Soup recipe blends unsalted butter, onion, tomatoes (canned or fresh), and stock (vegetable or chicken), seasoned with sea salt. This classic, rich, and comforting soup, ready in about 45 minutes, is a testament to Child’s simple yet flavorful cooking style.
🍅 Julia Child Tomato Soup Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 large onion, cut into large wedges
- 1 (28-ounce) can tomatoes, we prefer to use whole peeled or crushed, see notes for fresh tomatoes
- 1 ½ cups water, low sodium vegetable stock, or chicken stock
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt, or more to taste
🥣 How To Make Julia Child Tomato Soup
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter.
- Add the 1/2 large onion wedges to the saucepan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent but not browned, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the 28-ounce can of tomatoes, with their juices. If using whole peeled tomatoes, break them into pieces with a spoon or your hands.
- Pour in 1 ½ cups of water, vegetable stock, or chicken stock. Stir to combine. Add 1/2 teaspoon of fine sea salt, adjusting according to taste. You can add more salt later if needed.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook gently for about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally, mashing any large pieces of tomato with the back of a spoon.
- For a smoother soup, use an immersion blender to puree the soup directly in the pot until smooth. Alternatively, you can let the soup cool slightly and then blend it in batches in a blender. Be careful when blending hot liquids, as they can splatter.
- Taste the soup and adjust the salt as needed. If the soup is too thick, you can thin it with a little more stock or water.
- Serve the soup hot optional garnishes include a dollop of cream, fresh basil, croutons, or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
💭 Recipe Tips:
- Quality of Tomatoes: The flavor of the soup heavily depends on the quality of tomatoes. If using canned, opt for high-quality brands. For fresh tomatoes, choose ripe, in-season varieties for the best taste.
- Sautéing Onions: Cook the onions until they’re just translucent to avoid browning. This ensures a sweet, not burnt, flavor foundation.
- Blending for Smoothness: For a silky-smooth soup, carefully blend the cooked mixture. If you prefer a bit of texture, blend only half of the soup and mix it back in with the chunkier parts.
- Seasoning to Taste: Start with the recommended amount of salt, then adjust. The saltiness of your stock and the acidity of your tomatoes can affect how much more you might need.
- Garnishes Make a Difference: Fresh basil adds a bright note, while a dollop of cream or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan can provide a luxurious finish. Croutons add a welcome crunch.
- Adjusting Thickness: If the soup is too thick after blending, add a bit more stock or water until you reach your desired consistency. Conversely, if it’s too thin, let it simmer a bit longer uncovered to reduce and thicken.
🥪 What To Serve With Tomato Soup?
Serve tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches for a classic pairing, a green salad for freshness, crusty bread or garlic croutons for dipping, a dollop of sour cream or yogurt for creaminess, and fresh basil or pesto for a herby finish.
🎚 How To Store Leftovers Tomato Soup?
- Refrigerate: Cool Leftovers Tomato Soup completely then transfer it to an airtight container it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Pour cooled Leftovers Tomato Soup into freezer-safe bags or containers, leaving some space for expansion freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
🥵 How To Reheat Leftovers Tomato Soup?
- On The Stovetop: Warm Leftovers Tomato Soup on medium stirring it until hot for about 5-7 minutes.
- In The Microwave: Heat Leftovers Tomato Soup on high stirring it halfway for up 2-3 minutes.
FAQ’S:
How can I adjust the acidity in tomato soup?
If your tomato soup is too acidic, adding a pinch of baking soda can neutralize some of the acidity. Be cautious, as too much can alter the flavor. Alternatively, a bit of sugar or honey can also balance out the acidity without needing to adjust the soup’s pH.
Can tomato soup be made in a slow cooker?
Tomato soup is ideal for slow cooking combine all ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. This method allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
How can I make my tomato soup creamier?
To achieve a creamier tomato soup, stir in heavy cream, coconut milk, or a dairy-free alternative after blending. Adding a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt upon serving can also enhance the creaminess.
How can I thicken tomato soup?
If your tomato soup is too thin, you can thicken it by simmering it uncovered to reduce and concentrate the flavors, blending in a small amount of bread, rice, or potatoes can naturally thicken the soup without altering the flavor significantly.
Why does my tomato soup have no flavor?
Your tomato soup might lack flavor due to underseasoning, using low-quality or unripe tomatoes, not sautéing the aromatics properly, or not adding enough herbs and spices to enhance its natural taste.
Julia Child Tomato Soup Nutrition Facts:
Amount Per 1 serving 1 cup (248 g)
- Calories: 74
- Total Fat: 0.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Sodium: 471 mg
- Potassium: 278 mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 16 g
- Dietary Fiber: 1.5 g
- Sugar: 10 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Vitamin C: 26
- Calcium: 2
- Iron: 7
Julia Child Tomato Soup
Description
Julia Child’s Tomato Soup is made of unsalted butter, onion, canned or fresh tomatoes, and stock, seasoned with sea salt. Serving 4, it takes about 45 minutes to prepare, offering a rich, comforting taste with options for customization through garnishes.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter.
- Add the 1/2 large onion wedges to the saucepan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent but not browned, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the 28-ounce can of tomatoes, with their juices. If using whole peeled tomatoes, break them into pieces with a spoon or your hands.
- Pour in 1 ½ cups of water, vegetable stock, or chicken stock. Stir to combine. Add 1/2 teaspoon of fine sea salt, adjusting according to taste. You can add more salt later if needed.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook gently for about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally, mashing any large pieces of tomato with the back of a spoon.
- For a smoother soup, use an immersion blender to puree the soup directly in the pot until smooth. Alternatively, you can let the soup cool slightly and then blend it in batches in a blender. Be careful when blending hot liquids, as they can splatter.
- Taste the soup and adjust the salt as needed. If the soup is too thick, you can thin it with a little more stock or water.
- Serve the soup hot optional garnishes include a dollop of cream, fresh basil, croutons, or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
