Chilled Golden Tomato Bisque Food

CHILLED TOMATO SOUP

Steps:

• Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until softened, about 1 minute. Increase the heat to medium, add the tomatoes and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until juicy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomato juice, basil sprigs and 3 cups water. Bring to a simmer and cook until the tomatoes are very soft, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Add 3 cups bread cubes and return the soup to a simmer. Cook, mashing the bread with a wooden spoon, until broken down, 5 to 7 minutes. Discard the basil sprigs. Stir in the vinegar. Working in two batches, puree the soup in a blender until smooth, adding 2 tablespoons olive oil per batch. Refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Before serving, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the remaining 2 cups bread cubes; cook, tossing, until golden, 5 to 6 minutes. Season the soup with salt; top with the croutons and chopped basil.

GOLDEN GAZPACHO

Steps:

• Combine the chopped tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, onions, garlic, cilantro and jalapeno in a large bowl.
• In a small bowl, make a vinaigrette by combining the olive oil, white wine vinegar, and herbs.
• Taste the vinaigrette and add salt and pepper to taste.
• Toss the gazpacho with the vinaigrette and let it sit for several hours if possible so the garlic can permeate the olive oil and chopped vegetables.
• Serve chilled.
• Wine suggestion: A crisp, chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot gris.

GRILLED YELLOW TOMATO BISQUE

Steps:

• Grill the tomatoes until the skins crack and the tomatoes soften, about 10 minutes. OR place them on a lightly oiled baking sheet and bake at 450* F for 12 minutes. Allow tomatoes to cool enough to handle, core them, and coarsely chop them.
• While the tomatoes are cooling heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 7 minutes. Stir in the chopped tomatoes, chicken broth, and sugar. Increase the heat, bring to a boil, turn the heat to medium, and simmer until the soup is reduced by one quarter, about 20 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes.
• Use an immersion blender to puree the bisque. The recipe suggests straining, but I found that mine didn't need it. Turn off the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Taste and season with salt and pepper. To serve, ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with the chopped mint or basil. Serve with crusty buttered french bread.