Pure Cream of Tomato Soup

Pure Cream of Tomato Soup

Edited From http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Pure-Cream-of-Tomato-Soup-40044

yield: 7 cups
double for a family of 4

Cream of tomato soup should be gentle and soothing. This is a perfect example. Adding baking soda to the tomatoes keeps the milk from curdling.


5 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion (or 1/2 tsp. onion powder)
4 tablespoons flour
3 cups milk 1 C. chicken broth in place of 1 C. water for milk)
1/2 bay leaf
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
4 cups tomatoes, chopped (fresh or canned)

Preparation
Cook the tomatoes first to soften. Melt the butter in a soup pot. Add the onion and cook over medium heat, stirring, until the onion is softened but not browned. Sprinkle the flour over the butter mixture and continue to stir and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly add the milk, bay leaf, sugar, and salt and continue to cook and stir until slightly thickened. Stir the baking soda into the tomatoes. Add the tomatoes to the milk, and bring just to a simmer. Remove from the heat and put through a strainer. Taste and correct seasonings. Reheat before serving.


Laura's notes, some from comments on the page:
*Yum! A winner for everyone!
*Straining it would be more appealing, but it is still good with the pulp.
*Try using 1 C. or more of chicken sotck as liquid in recipe
*Be sure to cook the flour in oil for at least 2 minutes (foamy) otherwise your resulting soup may taste a bit floury. Don't forget baking soda! It's important!
*Try adding a little less flour
*Can also use celery, carrots, and broccoli, blended in.
*Can serve over noodles
*Mix baking soda in with hot tomatoes to make the smoothest soup
*Make white sauce part separate from tomatoes first
*If too foamy, using a little less baking soda may help


Canning instructions:
- Do everything except milk, which can be added later when about ready to use.
- Fill pint-sized hars (this recipe fills 2 jars)
- For every pint used, add 1 1/2 C. milk and reheat.
- Leave 1" headspace, 10 lbs. pressure, 20 minutes