Calling a tomato consommé a clear tomato soup is actually a little misleading. Tomato consommé is more than just a soup, it is a clear broth bursting with flavours from the sweet, summer tomatoes and herbs which also happens to be clear.
You will first need to make the tomato sauce (make lots as it freezes very well) then follow the instructions for clarifying. You will be amazed at the taste of this lovely soup.
You will first need to make the tomato sauce (make lots as it freezes very well) then follow the instructions for clarifying. You will be amazed at the taste of this lovely soup.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Time to Strain: 20 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: Serves 6
Ingredients:
- 4 cups/1 litre of water
- 1 quantity of basic tomato sauce
- 9 oz/250g fresh ripe tomatoes, chopped
- 6 large basil leaves
- 3 egg whites
- 1 tsp sugar
- Garnish
- 2 fresh tomatoes, peeled, deseeded and diced.
- Basil leaves to garnish (optional)
Preparation:
- Stir the water into the tomato sauce.
- In a food processor blitz the tomatoes with the basil leaves. Add the egg whites and sugar and blitz again until all the ingredients are well mixed. Pour the mixture into the sauce and water.
- Place the whole mixture into a large pan and bring to the boil whisking all the time. Simmer gently for 15 minutes until the egg whites form a crust on the surface.
- Line a sieve with a piece of clean, unused muslin or a tea towel that has been washed in plain water, (see note below). Gently ladle the crust into the sieve and then slowly ladle the liquid over the crust, allow time for the liquid to pass through the crust and sieve before adding any more. DO NOT PUSH THE SAUCE THROUGH.
- Return the clear liquid to the pan and reheat to hot not boiling. This soup is best served warm to hot (not boiling) as it intensifies the flavour.
- If not serving immediately, cool the soup and refrigerate until required.
- Reheat the soup to hot but not boiling and divide between six hot soup plates, garnish with basil if using and serve immediately.
