Tomato Cognac Soup Food

THE BEST TOMATO SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Add the celery, onions, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are softened but not browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in the crushed tomatoes. Add the broth and thyme leaves. Cover and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour.
• Let the hot soup cool for about 5 minutes or so, then transfer half of it to a blender filling no more than halfway. Add 2 tablespoons of the butter. Remove the center cap from the lid and place it on the blender. Cover the lid with a kitchen towel to catch splatters, and pulse until smooth. Pour into a clean pot or container. Repeat with the remaining soup and butter. Season with salt and pepper.
• Ladle the soup into bowls and drizzle with more oil before serving.

TOMATO COGNAC SOUP

Steps:

• Chop the onion and saute in butter for 20 minutes until soft and translucent but not brown. With your fingers, squash the tomatoes. Add them and all liquid in the can to the onion. Add basil and stir. Bring the soup to boil, then simmer covered, for 30 minutes. Set aside and cool slightly, then puree the soup in a food processor. In a small saucepan, heat the cream with sugar, whisking often. Pour this mixture into the soup. Reheat, but do not boil. Just before serving, add the cognac and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley and serve.

TOMATO GORGONZOLA SOUP

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the flour and cook until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Add the cognac and scrape the pan with a wooden spoon to release any browned bits.
• Add the potatoes and broth to the stockpot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes and their juices, cream, gorgonzola and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Using an immersion blender, or in batches in a blender, puree until smooth. Add the vinegar and serve in warm bowls with more basil and gorgonzola.

TOMATO COGNAC SOUP

Steps:

• Chop the onion and saute in butter for 20 minutes until soft and translucent but not brown.
• With your fingers, squash the tomatoes; add them and all liquid in the can to the onion. Add basil brown sugar and stir.
• Bring the soup to boil, then simmer covered, for 30 minutes.
• Set aside and cool slightly, then puree the soup in a food processor.
• In a small saucepan heat the cream with sugar, whisking often. Pour this mixture into the soup.
• Reheat, but do not boil.
• Just before serving, add the cognac and season with salt and pepper.
• Garnish with parsley and serve.

TOMATO SOUP WITH COGNAC AND ORANGE

Steps:

• Spray a 5-qt heavy soup pot with nonstick cooking spray. In it, melt butter over medium heat and add onion. Saute until it starts to softened, about 3 minutes. Turn heat down slightly and add garlic, basil, honey and cloves. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
• Add tomatoes and raise heat to medium-high. Cook to evaporate moisture, stirring constantly, 5 to 10 minutes. Add orange zest. Lower heat and simmer about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Remove pot from heat. Let cool slightly, pick out the cloves and add the orange juice. Process in batches in a food processor. Put the puree through a food mill or strainer.
• Return puree to soup pot. Reheat over medium-low heat, stirring often. Season with salt and pepper and stir in tomato paste.
• When soup is hot, just before serving, stir in cream and cognac-DO NOT BOIL!
• Serve at once, garnished with sour cream if desired.