comfort essentials: the best fennel tomato soup

How To Make comfort essentials: the best fennel tomato soup

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  Step 1
  PREP/PREPARE
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  Step 2
  I love the smell of fennel, and I love the taste of fennel. With that said, this soup is not overpowered with that wonderful spice. It has just enough presence to let your tongue know that it is there. I tried this with fresh fennel; however, toasted fennel did the trick for me.
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  Step 3
  There are a lot of canned tomato products on the market, and in this recipe, I am using Cento brand. If you are on the lookout for good canned tomatoes, you might want to check out my study on canned tomatoes: https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/soup/soup-other-soup/cooking-class-the-best-canned-tomatoes.html#page6 https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/sauce-spread-other-sauce-spread/removing-the-bitter-taste-from-canned-tomatoes.html?r=1
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  Step 4
  Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
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  Step 5
  Add the oil and butter to a large pot, over medium heat.
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  Step 6
  When the butter melts, give the pot a swirl to mix the oil and butter, and then add the fennel seeds.
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  Step 7
  Allow the seed to toast in the pot for about 2 minutes, constantly stirring.
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  Step 8
  Add the onion, celery, carrots, and cook until the onion begins to soften, about 3 – 4 minutes.
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  Step 9
  Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 60 seconds.
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  Step 10
  Add the tomatoes, and chicken stock, and stir to combine.
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  Step 11
  Add the basil, red-pepper flakes paprika, and bring to a simmer.
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  Step 12
  Allow to simmer for 20 minutes; adding a bit of salt and white pepper, to taste.
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  Step 13
  Remove from heat place in a blender, add the butter and cream, and blend until smooth.
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  Step 14
  Chef’s Note: If you want it chunky, just add the butter and cream to the pot, and stir until combined.
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  Step 15
  Just before serving, add the lemon juice, and do a final tasting for proper seasoning.
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  Step 16
  Chef’s Note: I like my tomato soup thick; however, if you want yours a bit thinner, add a bit more chicken stock.
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  Step 17
  Chef’s Tip: We have some basic tomato soup ingredients going on here (tomatoes, onions, carrots, etc.). So, once the soup is finished, play about with the lemon juice, salt, and pepper, until you achieve the perfect balance.
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  Step 18
  PLATE/PRESENT
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  Step 19
  Serve warm with crusty bread. Enjoy.
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  Step 20
  Keep the faith, and keep cooking.
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