Panera Bread™ Tomato Soup Copycat Recipe

By á-36210

You'll never eat tomato soup out of a can again. Make this easy tomato soup recipe made with fresh tomatoes. Serve with rolls, or a grilled cheese sandwich.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 large clove garlic, minced
• 2 ribs celery, chopped
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 5 large super-ripe tomatoes (about 4 pounds), coarsely chopped
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 4 leaves fresh basil + 1 tablespoon chopped
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Pinch of ground cayenne (optional)
• 4 Panera Bread Sourdough Rolls, warmed

Preparation

Step 1

Warm the oil and butter in a large soup pot over medium heat.

Add the onion, garlic, and celery, and cook until soft but not browned, 5 to 7 minutes.

Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute.

Add the tomatoes (with juices), sugar, basil leaves, salt, black pepper, and cayenne (if using).

Increase the heat to high and bring the tomatoes to a boil.

Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes, skimming off and discarding any foam from the surface.

Puree the soup in a blender, in batches if necessary; then pass the puree through a medium-mesh strainer, pressing on and discarding the solids. Return the soup to the pot to keep it warm.

Just before serving, stir in the chopped basil.

Divide the soup among four bowls and serve it with the rolls.

Tip: Ripe tomatoes are the key to great taste here. Sample the soup before serving, and add a touch more sugar or salt if the tomatoes need it. This soup can be refrigerated for up to three days and tastes delicious cold.

Source: Panera Bread