Nordstrom Tomato Basil Soup

Submitted by Rachel Brooks1

"A large batch recipe from the Nordstrom's Cafe."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 30mins
• Ingredients: 10
• Serves: 128

ingredients

• 12 cups canned peeled plum tomatoes
• 3 lbs carrots, chopped
• 3 lbs onions, chopped
• 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 a large stock pot, sautee the olive oil, carrots, and onions at medium heat for 15 minutes.
2. Add the basil, salt, pepper, and tomatoes and bring to a simmer.
3. In a large bowl, whisk the chicken base into the water until dissolved.
4. Add the water mixture to the stock pot, bring to a boil, and then simmer for 45 minutes.
5. Puree the soup using a hand blender while adding the heavy cream until it reaches a thin consistency.

Reviews

[mythicalmoose]

I worked at Nordies as a chef for a while and the pepper should be fine. You are making about 4 1/2 gallons according to this recipe. I would also recommend using fresh basil, thats what we used. Conversions for fresh to dry is 1 tbsp fresh = 1 tsp dry. One last thing, the plum tomatoes used at the stores are usually plum tomato strips by Stanislaus or Arrezzio. Try not to be cheap on the tomatoes or basil, it really makes a big difference.

 

[patty mcnamara]

FANTASTIC! I didn't have "chicken base" and am not sure what it is (chicken soup base powder?) so I just used low sodium chicken broth in place of the water. I also used more basil than called for. I added a couple tablespoons more after it was finished cooking. This was so easy to make. I prepared it for a lunch meeting and everyone raved about it - one young lady said it changed her life - ha-ha! I almost felt guilty getting all the compliments since it wasn't my recipe and it was so simple to prepare (I didn't let on to anyone though!) Thanks for the great recipe, Rachel.

 

[Iris Jane]

just made a 1/4 recipt batch of this using canned, diced tomatoes-yummy, however, perhaps the amount of pepper should read 4 tsp instead of 4 Tbsp. because I don't remember the soup at Nordstroms being so hot with pepper. Next time I will cut from 1 Tbsp. to 1 tsp. for my 1/4 quantity recipt

 

[cameronbresnick]

I was hoping I would find this recipe as this soup is the reason I go to Nordstrom Cafe---so good! and I made the recipe last night and it tastes exactly like Nordie's. My only alteration like the 1st review is to add less cream and use diced tomatoes. Great fall recipe-Thanks

 

[art boone]

Very easy. Used regular diced tomatoes in juice, #10 can. Did not use all of the cream. Substituted vegetable stock for chicken stock. Did not use all of the salt and pepper listed... maybe 1/4 that amount.