Sidekick Tomato Soup
Thomas J. Story
This soup is called “Sidekick” for two reasons: One, it’s a grilled cheese sandwich’s best friend, and two, it was a favorite at Sidekick Cafe–Cowgirl Creamery’s former lunch counter in San Francisco’s Ferry Building.
The success of this soup depends on really good canned tomatoes and long, slow simmering so that all the flavors meld and mingle. The recipe is adapted from one in Cowgirl Creamery Cooks (Chronicle Books).
This recipe, and others like it, can be found in the article “15 Soup Recipes That Will Warm Your Soul This Winter.”
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Pour in oil, then add onion, carrots, garlic, 1 tsp. salt, the red pepper flakes, and bay leaves. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables have softened and onion is translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. "It's important to cook your onions before you add liquid. Otherwise they won't melt in a simmering pot; they stay fibrous," advises Smith.
Step 2
2
Add tomatoes, crushing them up with your hands, plus their juice and 2 cans water. "Canned whole tomatoes are usually higher quality than chopped," Conley says. "But chopped are okay in a pinch." Bring soup to a simmer and add half of oregano. Decrease heat to very low and simmer, partly covered, 2 hours. About 20 minutes before soup is done, add remaining 1/2 tsp. salt and the remaining oregano.
Step 3
3
Remove bay leaves and blend soup until smooth. Add a bit of water if the soup looks thick, and strain if you want it silky smooth.
Step 4
4
Serve soup topped with crème fraîche and chives.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
2 large carrots
2 large garlic cloves, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 Mediterranean bay leaves
2 cans (14.5 oz. each) whole peeled organic tomatoes with juice, preferably San Marzano or Muir Glen
1 tablespoon minced fresh oregano, divided
About 1/2 cup crème fraîche
About 1 1/2 tbsp. chopped chives
Directions
Step 1
1
Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Pour in oil, then add onion, carrots, garlic, 1 tsp. salt, the red pepper flakes, and bay leaves. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables have softened and onion is translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. "It's important to cook your onions before you add liquid. Otherwise they won't melt in a simmering pot; they stay fibrous," advises Smith.
Step 2
2
Add tomatoes, crushing them up with your hands, plus their juice and 2 cans water. "Canned whole tomatoes are usually higher quality than chopped," Conley says. "But chopped are okay in a pinch." Bring soup to a simmer and add half of oregano. Decrease heat to very low and simmer, partly covered, 2 hours. About 20 minutes before soup is done, add remaining 1/2 tsp. salt and the remaining oregano.
Step 3
3
Remove bay leaves and blend soup until smooth. Add a bit of water if the soup looks thick, and strain if you want it silky smooth.
Step 4
4
Serve soup topped with crème fraîche and chives.
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