Nordstrom's Tomato Soup

laurie connolly's Note:

I always order half a chicken Caesar salad with a cup of their tomato soup and they know me pretty well there. This is a restaurant recipe and makes 8 gallons!

• Total Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Serves: 64

Yield: 128.0 cups

• 10 (1 lb) cans peeled plum tomatoes (1 case)
• 3 lbs carrots
• 3 lbs onions
• 4 tablespoons dry basil
• 1 cup olive oil
• 2 gallons water
• 1 lb chicken base
• 3 quarts heavy cream
• 4 tablespoons kosher salt
• 4 tablespoons black pepper

Directions:

1. In large kettle at med heat, pour 1 cup of olive oil and add roughly chopped onions and carrots.
2. Sauté for 15 minutes, then add the basil, salt, pepper, and tomatoes.
3. Bring to a simmer.
4. Then add the chicken base to the water; whisk to dissolve, and add to kettle.
5. Bring to a boil and continue cooking for 45 minutes.
6. Then using a hand blender, puree soup while adding the heavy cream, to a thin consistency.
7. Reduce heat to a simmer.

Reviews

[stephchef]

I thought this soup was really wonderful and comforting. Just what I needed on a cold day. As we all do, I amended it just a bit. I didn't make 8 gallons (!) and I added minced celery and a clove of garlic. I also used half and half instead of heavy cream and it was still wonderful. Thanks for the recipe. It's a keeper.