Chilled Roasted Tomato Soup With Tarragon

Chef Regina V. Smith's Note:

This soup is best made at the height of summer when tomatoes are at their peak. You can make this dish up to 2 days ahead of service. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also serve this soup hot; just replace the buttermilk with 10 per cent cream and reheat until simmering.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 6 plum tomatoes (about 2 lb/1 kg)
• 2 sweet red peppers
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion , chopped
• 1 carrot , chopped
• 1 small fennel bulb , chopped
• 2 cups vegetable stock
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 6 sprigs fresh tarragon
• 1 cup buttermilk

Directions:

1. Rub tomatoes and red peppers with 1 teaspoons of the oil; roast on a greased, foil lined baking sheet in a 450°F oven for about 40 minutes, turning every 10 minutes, or until blistered and blackened. Let cool enough to handle. Reserving pulp and juices, peel off skins. Discard seeds from the peppers. Set aside.
2. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, heat remaining oil over meduim heat; fry onion, carrots and fennel, stirring occassionally, for about 10 minutes or until softened.
3. Stir in vegetable stock, 1 cup water, salt and pepper. Tie 4 springs of tarragon together with string; add to soup. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Stir in tomato and red pepper pulp and juices; simmer for 5 minutes. Let cool. Discard tarragon bundle.
5. In batches in blender or food processor puree soup until smooth. Transfer to a bowl, whisk in buttermilk. Cover and refrigerate for about 4 hours or until cold.
6. Ladle into bowls. Chop remaining tarragon; sprinkle over soup for garnish.