Cream of Tomato and Basil Soup

John Hooton

Cream of Tomato and Basil Soup

Summer is not too far away and this soup is a great way to consume that flood of tomatoes when you grow your own. Come to think of it, this tastes great anytime, so why wait?

Cream of Tomato and Basil Soup

1 Onion
4 Garlic Cloves
1 Long Sweet Red Pepper
12 Medium Size Tomatoes
2 oz or 50g Butter
250ml Chicken Stock
75ml Double Cream
1 Desert Spoon of Dried Basil
Some Fresh Basil
¼ Tsp Ground White Pepper
1 Level Tsp Sea Salt

Peel and chop the garlic cloves and the onion. De-seed and chop the long sweet red pepper. Melt the butter in a large saucepan and add the onion, garlic and sweet red pepper. Cover and simmer gently stirring now and then until the onions are soft – about ten minutes.

Meanwhile, cut the tomatoes in half, splitting where the stalk was. Cut out a V to remove the hard stalk remnants and roughly chop the tomatoes. Add them to the other ingredients and bring everything back to a simmer. Add the dry basil, salt and pepper, cover, and let it all stew gently for about 20 minutes stirring occasionally.

Add the chicken stock and simmer gently for another ten minutes.

Remove from the heat and now blend all the ingredients in a liquidiser or with an electric hand blender. Return it to the saucepan, taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

Stir in 50ml of double cream saving 25ml for presentation. Serve with some torn fresh basil leaves and a swirl of cream. Revel in the taste, consume luxuriously then relax for ten minutes. Take the dog for a walk.

Technical Details:

Camera: Nikon D3
Lens: Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8
Focal Length: 24mm
ISO: 400
Exposure: 1/80 sec at f/11
Lighting: Sunlight though Venetian blinds
Flash: SB800 bounced off ceiling to fill-in
Post Processing: Photoshop CS3

© 2009 John Hooton Photography

Cream of Tomato and Basil Soup belongs to the following groups:

Fashion and Editorial Photography, Former DPF Members, Italy and all Things Italian , Nikon DSLR Users Group - 2 uploads per 24 hours, Recipes (along with photo) and Vibrant and Vivid Color Available for sale as

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Cream of Tomato and Basil Soup by John Hooton
Cream of Tomato and Basil Soup by John Hooton
  • Sorina Williams

    Sorina Williams

    looks and sounds amazing…yum!!

  • John Hooton replied

    The good thing about food photography is you get to eat it afterwards!

  • Varry

    Varry

    Im going to make this for tonights dinner…YUM!!!

  • John Hooton replied

    Good for you! You’ll get a really great taste for something that’s very easy to make. :-))

  • Shanina Conway

    Shanina Conway

    Oh yum…delicious work…agh! shame it’s still breakfast here;)

  • John Hooton replied

    No problem, put the ingredients on your shopping list!

  • Farmncamera

    Farmncamera

    I AM on a diet… PAALEEEEEESSSSSSSEEEEEEE….. do portraits!!!!!! xoxo

  • John Hooton replied

    There are only about 360 calories in a serving including the slice of bread. Go ahead, treat yourself and think of those vitamins! xx

  • Daniel Sorine

    Daniel Sorine

    YUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUM!

  • John Hooton replied

    It sure is and so easy to make.

  • Nic Relton

    Nic Relton

    PERFECT!!! That really is in your face and mouth watering! Mmmmm : )

  • John Hooton replied

    Thanks Nic, I finally got round to photographing it before eating it this time!

  • Waleska Luker

    Waleska Luker

    Aww soo good! Its Finisimo! Bravo! Its making me hungry!

  • John Hooton replied

    Thank you WaleskaL, this dish seems to be going down rather well tonight! :-))

  • mimi yoon

    mimi yoon

    oh… yum…. looks so good…. it’s making me awfully hungry too… : )

  • John Hooton replied

    If I can make a few tummies rumble then it passes the test!

  • barkeypf

    barkeypf

    So appitizing, great look.

  • John Hooton replied

    Thanks Paul. The shaft of sunlight was a lucky bonus – usually it’s cloudy!

  • Farmncamera

    Farmncamera

    Oh well, that’s NOT bad, at all!! Now, all I need is for someone to cook it for me!! :)

  • Rosalie Dale IPA

    Rosalie Dale IPA

    Wonderful presentation John – so tempting! When are you planning on visiting so I can stock up on tomatoes … (and find a dog for your to walk!!) ???

  • John Hooton replied

    When I retire. Then I plan to sit it out in Fagan Park. ;-))

  • Rosalie Dale IPA

    Rosalie Dale IPA

    Ok I’ll reserve you a bench!!!

  • Varry

    Varry

    THE SOUP WAS DEVINE JOHN!

  • John Hooton replied

    Thanks for that positive endorsement Varry – so nice to have a second opinion!

  • Sheila Pasket

    Sheila Pasket

    oh YUMMY!!! Love tomato soup…will definitely have to try this!

  • John Hooton replied

    Home made soups are so easy to make, and in terms of taste versus time, the pay off is pure pleasure!

  • Sheila Pasket

    Sheila Pasket


    *March 2009

  • kenspics

    kenspics

    Tantalizing!!!
    Congratulations on the Former DPF Members feature!!

  • John Hooton replied

    Thank you kindly Ken.

  • Denis Molodkin

    Denis Molodkin

    Well done!

  • John Hooton replied

    Thank you Denis. Currently my wallpaper at the moment!

  • Squealia

    Squealia

    You could add it to the challenge here

  • Sharon Perrett

    Sharon Perrett

    Yummy John, that looks so delicious and inviting, beautiful rich colours

  • John Hooton replied

    Thank you very much Sharon. This soup is quick and easy, so there is a big taste verses time payoff!

  • Terry Arcia

    Terry Arcia

    that looks sooo good, great shot

  • John Hooton replied

    Thanks Terry, cooked it tonight as it happens as a starter for my guest Nic Relton!

  • Sharon Mau

    Sharon Mau

    This looks so ‘ono!!
    Congratulations on your features, it is a beautiful photograph!

  • John Hooton replied

    Thank you Sharon. I haven’t cooked it for a few weeks so I guess it will be on the menu soon, especially as tomatoes are so plentiful at the moment. :-)

  • DonDavisUK

    DonDavisUK

    Mouthwatering excellence John, what a glorious capture. All the ingredients and the recipe too. Awesome my friend. Another instant FAV for me. Regards, Don.

  • John Hooton replied

    Cheers Don, I am gradually working my way towards a book! :-))

  • Ellen

    Ellen

    and here is my fav soup! Tomato-soup, Very nice image!

  • John Hooton replied

    Thank you Ellen. My garden tomatoes are still mostly green but it won’t be long!

  • Jessica Walker

    Jessica Walker

    This shot reminds me of the kind of photography work my dad used to do. He did food set ups in his studio (now my studio) for tomato, olive and soup cans. His arrangements were always just as beautiful and creative as this one here. I’m glad photography runs in my family. ;) Nice shot!

  • John Hooton replied

    Thank you Jessica, good for your Dad. Photographing food is fun and challenging. Actually maybe it’s the cooking that is challenging! Judging by the amount of comments I get, It is a most popular subject, running a very close second and sometimes overtaking semi clad women. :-})

  • Vikram Franklin

    Vikram Franklin

    Love that bit of sunlight!! Perfect!

  • John Hooton replied

    Thanks Vikram. I was pleased how the SB-800 balanced the sunlight bounced off the ceiling. P.S. There is some soup sitting on the stove now after a raid on my home grown tomatoes!

  • Lorena Maria

    Lorena Maria 28 days ago

    WHat delicious SHoT!! very well done!

  • John Hooton replied 28 days ago

    Simple good quality fresh ingredients make the most delicious food! This is so easy and quick to make.

  • seawhisper

    seawhisper 16 days ago

    You know what? You’re recent photos are simply painful! I have a feeling it will a bolognese tonight. :-)

  • John Hooton replied 15 days ago

    LOL, how was it? I must do a photo and recipe of classic bolognese, it’s on my list!

  • seawhisper

    seawhisper 13 days ago

    I eventually didn’t do it. They only had minced mix of beef and pork. Sniff, sniff… But one day, just you wait – Bolognese – I will eat you!!! :D

  • terezadelpilar

    terezadelpilar 7 days ago

    love it!!!

  • John Hooton replied 7 days ago

    Quick and easy!

  • terezadelpilar

    terezadelpilar 7 days ago

    well, I meant the photo!
    But I love the soup too:))
    (do you cook too?)

  • John Hooton replied 5 days ago

    I have always been interested in cooking and since my wife had a stroke 9 years ago, I have done all the family catering. :-))

  • terezadelpilar

    terezadelpilar 7 days ago

    btw your profile photo is hilarious!
    (just in case you change the photo, today is Nov, 21st)

  • John Hooton replied 5 days ago

    Glad you like the photo, I did not want anything too serious!

  • terezadelpilar

    terezadelpilar 4 days ago

    All the best to you, your wife and family John:)

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