Sopa de Tomate Asado de País Vasco (Basque Roasted Tomato Soup)

 

adapted by Michael McCabe

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_BWRua5l70j4/SLavLuhxUfI/AAAAAAAACTU/z7oan-8p2Fw/s400/IMG_8071.JPG

Yield: 10 cups

 

Notes:

 

This is really a delicious soup and the shrimp just adds that extra flavor and texture that makes this soup elegant.

 

The jewel in Spain's culinary crown; the Basque region has long since been viewed as a centre of gastronomic excellence. Michelin stars and top chefs abound in this region where food is virtually a religion.

 

Cuisine: Spanish

 

Categories: Roasted, Seafood, Served Hot, Simmer, Soup, Stock: Poultry, Vegetable

 

Source: recipegoldmine.com, 2001

 

Copyright: 2008

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2 pounds large plum tomatoes

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon sugar

2 pounds large plum tomatoes

1 large white onion, quartered

8 large garlic cloves, crushed and peeled

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon herbes de provence

"generous drizzle" balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1 large white onions, finely chopped

4 large garlic cloves, crushed and peeled

2 teaspoons spanish paprika

1 tablespoon fresh chopped oregano

1 (28-ounce can) fire roasted crushed tomatoes

6 cups rich and hearty chicken stock

"as directed" good quality tomato juice

"to taste" kosher salt

"to taste" freshly ground black pepper

1 pound raw medium shrimp, peeled and deveined and coarsely chopped

2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil

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Hardware

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2 large baking sheets

large mixing bowl

dutch oven or soup pot with cover

strainer

large bowl

blender

whisk

chinois

warm soup bowls

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     Heat oven to 225 degrees F.

 

     Lightly oil a large baking sheet.

 

     Cut 2 pounds of fresh tomatoes in half lengthwise. Arrange, cut-side down, in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil and sprinkle with sugar. Roast for 3 hours, or until very soft and wrinkled. Let cool and set aside.

 

     Increase oven to 400 degrees F.

 

     Cut the remaining 2 pounds of fresh tomatoes in half lengthwise. In a large mixing bowl toss tomatoes, quartered onion, crushed garlic with 1 tablespoons olive oil, herbes de provence and balsamic vinegar. Pour tomatoes onto a second baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes. Let cool and set aside.

 

     Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven or soup pot, heat 1 tablespoon oil and crushed red pepper over medium/low heat. Add onions and garlic and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes.

 

     Add paprika and oregano and cook, stirring, 1 minute longer.

 

     Add canned crushed tomatoes, roasted vegetables and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer, partially covered, for 25 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.

 

     Strain soup into a large bowl and transfer solids to a blender. Puree until as smooth as possible, adding a little broth if necessary. (The soup will contain the skins of the tomatoes.) Return puree and broth to pot. Whisk to combine.

 

     Using a chinois strain the soup. If the soup is too thick, add a little tomato juice. Season with salt and pepper.

 

     The soup can be made 2 days ahead up to this point. The flavors would blend and intensify if the soup is allowed to cool down and then covered and chilled at least over night.

 

     When ready to serve, over medium low heat the soup until hot. Add the chopped shrimp and cook for 2 minutes or until the shrimp just turn pink. Add the chopped basil and serve immediately in warm soup bowls.

 

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