Tuscan Tomato Artichoke Soup Recipes

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a heavy, large pot over medium heat. Add the leeks and the garlic and stir. Add the potatoes and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often. Add the artichokes, stock, salt, and pepper and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
• Using a handheld immersion blender, or in a blender in batches*, puree the soup. Add the 2 tablespoons mascarpone and blend again to combine. In a small bowl, stir the remaining 1/3 cup mascarpone to soften.
• Ladle the soup into serving bowls. Dollop the top of each of the soups with a spoonful of the softened mascarpone cheese and top the cheese with chives.
• * When blending hot liquids: Remove liquid from the heat and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes. Transfer liquid to a blender or food processor and fill it no more than halfway. If using a blender, release one corner of the lid. This prevents the vacuum effect that creates heat explosions. Place a towel over the top of the machine, pulse a few times then process on high speed until smooth.

Steps:

• Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; add chopped onion, chopped carrot, and chopped celery. Cook until softened, stirring often, about 15 minutes. Stir in tomato passata and milk. Season with salt, cover and simmer tomato sauce until flavors are well combined, 20 minutes.
• Combine whole onion, whole carrot, and whole celery stalk in a stockpot; cover with water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 15 minutes. Strain vegetables and keep stock warm.
• Stir 1 1/2 cups stock into tomato sauce. Add stale bread; stir and set aside for 15 to 20 minutes to allow the bread to soften.
• Combine tomato-bread mixture, 1 1/4 cups grated Parmesan cheese, and 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a blender; blend until mixture has consistency of a mousse.
• Ladle soup into bowls and serve with shaved Parmesan cheese and drizzled with remaining olive oil. Garnish with basil leaves.

Steps:

• Combine tomatoes, artichoke hearts, milk, chicken stock and cream in a saucepan.
• Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, saute onion and seasonings in butter.
• Add flour slowly and cook, stirring, until mixture is golden brown.
• Slowly add onion roux to artichoke mixture, stirring constantly, and cook until soup thickens.

Steps:

• Remove the sausage from it's casing, crumble and brown with the chopped onion in large soup pot over medium heat. Cut the artichoke hearts and the tomatoes into bite-sized pieces and add them to the pot. Pour the chicken stock over the sausage and vegetables, then add the oregano, basil and fennel. Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat and simmer, uncovered for 30 minutes. Add the pasta and cook for 15 minutes more, or until the pasta is al dente. Taste for seasoning, add more water, if desired, and serve. To smoke tomatoes: Place 1 heaping tablespoon of fine wood chips in the bottom of a stovetop smoker. Make an aluminum foil tray with raised edges to fit on top of the wire rack. Arrange fresh or canned tomatoes on the tray. Close the stovetop smoker almost tight. Place over one burner on medium-high. When a wisp of smoke escapes, close the stovetop smoker lid all the way, then start your timer. Your tomatoes are done when they have a good, smokey aroma and are slightly burnished, about 20 minutes.

Steps:

• Heat the oil and butter in a heavy kettle. Cook the carrots, celery, and onions for about 20 minutes, or until very tender. Add the tomatoes and continue cooking over moderate heat for 25 to 30 minutes longer. Stir in the parsley and basil, season with salt and pepper, cook a minute or so longer, and serve hot.