Smoked Tomato and Bacon Soup

Submitted by Chef #1399670

"amazing smokey tomato soup with multiple layers of flavor. A friend of mine got this at a food fair in her home town. I've used this recipe for my friends and family and as soon as it's served the room becomes quiet followed by the sounds of slurping. Fantastic."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 30mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Yields: 3 litres
• Serves: 12

ingredients

• 3 lbs fresh tomatoes (core and cut in half)
• 1 large onion (peeled and coarsely chopped)
• 1⁄2 cup garlic clove
• 3 cups tomato juice
• 2 ounces fresh thyme
• 4 tablespoons tomato paste
• 5 cups vegetable stock or 5 cups chicken stock
• 2 -3 tablespoons liquid smoke
• 2 cups whipping cream
• 4 -5 tablespoons sugar
• 1⁄2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt and pepper
• 2 lbs smoked bacon (cut into small pieces and partially fried)

directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Toss Tomatoes, Onion, Garlic Cloves and fresh Thyme together with the Olive Oil and season with a touch of Salt and Pepper.
3. Place in a shallow roasting pan and roast in oven for about 20 minutes.
4. After add the tomato paste, stir well and return to the oven for another 10 minutes.
5. Remove the ingredients from the roasting pan and scrape into a medium size stock pot.
6. Add Tomato Juice and Chicken/Vegetable stock and simmer soup mix for about 20 minutes on low heat, (if soup looks like it's becoming too thick add a bit of water).
7. Puree everything with a until smooth and strain through a semi-fine strainer.
8. Pour mixture back into stock pot and return to heat.
9. Bring soup to a light simmer and add Sugar, Cream, and Liquid Smoke.
10. Season to taste with some Salt and Pepper.
11. Place bacon in bottom of bowls and pour soup on top to serve.