Quick & Easy Tomato Bisque

 

 

One of my favorite kinds of soup has always been tomato soup. I grew up on canned tomato soup. Mom always bought the Campbells brand.  We loved it.

In North America most canned soups come condensed, which means that you have to add milk or water to it to bring it to an edible consistency.  Mom always added water because she was thrifty, but I have to say tomato soup made with milk is better.

 

My favorite tinned tomato soup is actually Heinz tomato soup, but shh . . . that can be our little secret. For today's recipe I used Campbells.

Did you have Campbell's kids dolls when you were growing up?  The Campbell's kids were cartoon characters used in the advertising of the soup.

 

I remember saving up my allowance and Campbell's Soup labels to get one when I was a child. I had two of them actually, a boy and a girl.  Mine had little chef hats with the Campbell's logo on them.

I wish I still had them! They would be worth a fortune now, but I digress, back to the soup.

 

What is the difference between a soup and a bisque?  Well, a bisque is a soup, but a soup is not necessarily a bisque.  Originally a bisque was meant to be a soup made with fish and fish stock. Creamy, thick, and rich, such as a Lobster Bisque.

Now it is just meant to mean a creamy, and thick soup, such as a Tomato Bisque which I am sharing with you today.  Richer than regular tomato soup and a lot thicker, they make for a deliciously hearty meal option.

This recipe I am sharing with you today has been adapted from one I found in a Gooseberry Patch book entitled, A Very Merry Christmas Cookbook. It was a gift from a friend.

I have always loved the Gooseberry Patch books.  They are like community cookbooks, filled with everyone's favorite recipes!  This particular recipe is attributed to Vivian Marshall of Columbus, Ohio.

 

About the soup she said, "This is a great quick & easy soup to serve with grilled cheese sandwiches. I love to top it with croutons and a sprinkling of shredded cheddar cheese."

Thank you Vivian!  

I have adapted the recipe to include British measurements. 

 

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE QUICK & EASY TOMATO BISQUE

Its almost embarassing really.  This is so simple. Just a few tins, some milk and some water!  But what delicious results! 

• 1 (10 3/4 oz/295g) tin of condensed cream of tomato soup
• 1 (10 3/4 oz/295g) tin of condensed cheddar cheese soup
• 1 (14/25oz/400g) tin of diced tomatoes in tomato juice, undrained
• 1/2 cup (120ml) plus 2 TBS of whole milk
• 1/2 cup (120ml) plus 2 TBS of water
• Seasoning to taste

 

It may be difficult if you are in the UK to find Cheddar Cheese soup. In that case I would make a thick rich cheese sauce with 1 1/2 cups/360 ml of milk, 2 TBS butter, 2 TBS flour, seasoning, and grated strong cheddar cheese to taste.

Melt the butter, whisk in the flour and then whisk in the flour. Cook for a minute then slowly whisk in the milk. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened.  Whisk in the cheese and season to taste. Use as per the recipe.

 

HOW TO MAKE QUICK & EASY TOMATO BISQUE

This is the embarrassing part. Could a soup be any easier?  I think not!!

Whisk all of the ingredients together in a large saucepan to combine. Heat gently over medium heat until heated through, stirring frequently.  Ladle into heated soup bowls and serve.

Easy peasy.

 

I topped mine with little toasty croutons. They are so easy to make. Just butter some thin slices of bread on one side.  Cut into shapes with your desired cutters.

I try to use smallish cutters, no more than 1 1/2 inches across. Today I used a star cutter.

You can sprinkle the buttered shapes with herbs or garlic powder or even some cheese if you wish.

Toast in a hot oven (400*F/200*C) until nice and toasty golden brown.  Very easy to float on top of any bowl of soup!

 

This was a really lovely bowl of soup. Rich and delicious and lovely and thick. I didn't have anything on the side, but a grilled cheese sandwich would be perfect.

So would crackers or crusty bread. It all depends on how hungry you are and what time of the day you are serving it! 

I highly recommend!!! Simple or not, using tinned soups or not, this is a delicious, delicious bowl of soup!

 

Here are a few other soups you might enjoy!

WINTER VEGETABLE SOUP WITH CHEESE DUMPLINGS 

Soup with dumplings?  Count me in!  Especially cheese dumplings.  Simple to make and using simple everyday ingredients. It's also a great way to use up what's in the fridge. This is a deliciously hearty soup with plenty of vegetables, ham and fluffy cheese dumplings. I guarantee your family will love this!  

BAKED POTATO SOUP

This potato soup is a delicious bowl filled with all the comfort food goodness of a loaded baked potato. Rich and belly warming, this is sure to become a favourite! What's not to like about a rich and creamy soup that is loaded with cheddar cheese, crisp bacon, sour cream and spring onions?? Nothing that's what! 

 

Yield: 5 - 6

Author: Marie Rayner

Easy Tomato Bisque Soup

Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 10 MinTotal time: 15 Min

A quick, easy and delicious soup for these cold, chilly days. Top with croutons or grated cheese. For a hearty meal serve with a toasty grilled cheese sandwich!

Ingredients

• 1 (10 3/4 oz/295g) tin of condensed cream of tomato soup
• 1 (10 3/4 oz/295g) tin of condensed cheddar cheese soup
• 1 (14/25oz/400g) tin of diced tomatoes in tomato juice, undrained
• 1/2 cup (120ml) plus 2 TBS of whole milk
• 1/2 cup (120ml) plus 2 TBS of water
• Seasoning to taste

Instructions

1. Whisk all of the ingredients together in a large saucepan to combine.
2. Heat gently over medium heat until heated through, stirring frequently.
3. Ladle into heated soup bowls and serve.

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