My Grandmother's Tomato Bisque
The ingredients couldn't be simpler.
First, The Weary Epicurean has us briefly blanch the tomatoes.
We halved the tomatoes on the horizontal plane -- made the seeding much easier.
While we prepped the tomatoes, we heated the butter, and managed not to burn it.
As always, we seasoned aggressively.
The tomatoes really broke down in the butter after about 20 minutes.
We removed them from the heat, Merrill donned an apron, and we added the cream.
We stirred to combine, gently broke the tomato pieces apart with the back of a spoon, and seasoned to taste! That's it!
Author Notes: This is how my grandmother always made tomato soup. It's extremely simple, and relies entirely on extremely red, ripe tomatoes - I only make it if I happen to see tomatoes that look particularly ripe and fresh for sale, not the other way around. It's also very important to use a heavy cast iron pan that is well seasoned, and to get the butter as hot as you can without burning it. —The Weary Epicurean
Food52 Review: This recipe is half about seeking out the best ingredients possible, and half about an unexpected technique. There are only three ingredients on the list (not counting salt and pepper), which means everything needs to be just right: juicy, red tomatoes and good-quality butter and cream. The Weary Epicurean has a way with words, guiding you colorfully through the unusual method of sautéing blanched, seeded tomatoes with butter in a cast iron pan before madly stirring in the cream. The resulting mixture is rich, chunky and rustic -- a homemade cream of tomato soup that along with some thick toast and a green salad would make a perfect meal for a cool, late summer evening. - A&M —The Editors
Serves: 2
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
-
3
to 4 medium tomatoes
-
2
tablespoons butter
-
5
tablespoons or 6 heavy cream
- Briefly blanche the tomatoes, but do not remove the skin. Cut them in half, scoop out the seeds and slice their backs two or three times each with a sharp knife. Season the halves on each side with salt and pepper.
- Get the butter sizzling in a cast iron pot, but do not let it brown. Add the tomatoes flesh side down. They are ready to flip when they have sweated a lot of juice, but do not let them burn. It should take about 10 minutes if the heat is correct (medium/low setting).
- Flip the tomatoes on their backs and turn the heat up slightly. Continue cooking about five minutes.
- Take the pan off the heat, and wait a few seconds for it to cool slightly. Add the cream, and stir like shit with a wooden spoon. You don't want the cream to boil but you want it to come close. After you've gotten everything tasty off the bottom of the pan, you are done - adjust the seasoning, then pour into two bowls.
- You may garnish the soup with some thin strips of basil, or not. Definitely leave it chunky - the mealy texture is important. It is good with crusty Italian bread or with poilane bread.
- Your Best Tomato Recipe Contest Finalist!
More Great Recipes:
Tomato|Soup|Dinner|Summer|5 Ingredients or Fewer|Vegetarian
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This is some good ass soup. That's all.
Do you think Mortgage Lifter Heirloom tomatoes would be good?
This looks perfect as far as tomato soups go! Now if I could only get my hands on some worthy tomatoes in the midst of winter...
Hah - yes I tend to make it when I see the tomatoes rather than the other way around.
This is divine! I love that the skins are left in the soup. Nice texture. All hail Grandma!
haha - thank you! yes I like the texture better that way.
You had me a "stir like shit" I will give this a try tonight...I have a table full of ripe tomatoes!
#TrueStory! I was mildly intrigued by the three ingredient soup but when I read the instructions to “stir like shit” I decided this Cook knew her stuff. I love the idea and summer is too far off to wait! Hurry up summer! I have to get this recipe on the stove!
Good lord, is this soup good! I make this throughout tomato season. Can't believe I never commented to let you know how cherished this soup is!
thank you!
I use this as a sauce over pasta and it is amazing
Just made the bisque. GREAT recipe! Super easy to make & ever so delicious. Thank your grandma for me.
I would definitely remove the skin as the tomatoes cook down. Is there a reason why you recommend against that?
Fantastic....so simple yet so delicious.
that looks so yummy and we are having this for dinner tonight.
btw: does the #4 need some editing? .....
I have made this recipe more than any other on this site now. It's my go-to when I want to cook something for someone. Whether they're in a bad mood or sick or I just want to cook, this is always the first thing I think of. Thank you for this comforting and delicious recipe.
How long do you suggest blanching the tomatoes for?
I count "1 elephant, 2 elephant, 3 elephant . . . 8 elephants" then pull them out. You can blanche a lot of things by the way, like peaches, pears, almonds . . .
This is so good I've made it 3 times in the last 10 days! Thank you!
Thank you, I am touched to hear it!
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