Over the years, I’ve recreated several of my favorites from the corner deli, including a Tortellini Salad served up in Treble at the Jam Fest, the fourth book in my Food Lovers’ Village Mysteries.
But one that eluded me was the Tomato-Basil Soup. Tomato soup is a classic, especially with bread and cheese in the form of a grilled cheese sandwich or Ripe’s herb-and-cheese breadsticks. I’ve got several recipes, involving fresh tomatoes, canned tomatoes, even roasted tomatoes, cream or no cream, and other variations. I love them all, but none was exactly what my mouth remembered.
So when The Solace of Bay Leaves began to take shape in my mind, I knew Pepper and I would be serving up soup. And when I discovered that a key ingredient in the story would be the investigation of the still-unsolved murder, three years ago, of Laurel’s husband, I knew I needed to figure out that tomato-basil soup. I couldn’t find a recipe online, even though I was sure Pasta & Company had once issued a cookbook. Happily, Mr. Right loves tomato soup as much as I do and willingly served as taste tester. (And no, it contains no bay leaves. Let that be our little secret.)
It’s no secret that cooking and eating are deeply evocative. One whiff, one taste, and we’re transported back to a physical place or a mental space. Physical therapists refer to “muscle memory,” but I think memory itself is a muscle, one that transports us through the maps of our own lives.
You’re thinking about soup right now, aren’t you? The chicken soup your mother made when you were sick; even if it came from a can, as my mother’s did, it speaks of caring and concern. The chili you had at the tailgater on your first date with your spouse. The French onion soup on a brisk winter day in Paris, France or Paris, Texas or a hole-in-the-wall restaurant with Formica counters and linoleum floors in a town whose name you can’t quite dredge up, but dang, that soup was good.
I hope you’ll enjoy Laurel’s Tomato-Basil Soup and that you’ll let it, and me, take you on a trip to Seattle in The Solace of Bay Leaves.
Leave a comment below for a chance to win a signed ARC of The Solace of Bay Leaves, out in paperback October 20.
Laurel’s Tomato-Basil Soup
A favorite at Ripe, easy to recreate at home.
4 large tomatoes, cored, seeded, and coarsely chopped
4 cups tomato juice
12-14 small to medium basil leaves
½ cup heavy cream
1/4 to 1/3 cup butter
kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
Basil leaves or edible flowers for garnish
Place chopped tomatoes and juice in a stock pot, on medium heat. Simmer about 30 minutes.
Add the basil leaves. Remove from heat and use a blender or immersion blender to create a chunky puree.
Return puree to stock pot. Add cream and butter; stir well. Season to taste. Reheat, but don’t boil, stirring until the butter is melted.
Serve and garnish.
Serves 4.
Talk to me about soup! Or tomatoes. Or recipes you've recreated from a memory of a dish you loved. One lucky reader will win a signed ARC of The Solace of Bay Leaves. Be sure to leave your email address! (US addresses only; winner will be chosen Friday, October 9.)
From the cover of THE SOLACE OF BAY LEAVES, Spice Shop Mystery #5, out now in e-book and audio, in paperback October 20, 2020 (Seventh St. Books and Tantor Audio) :
Pepper Reece never expected to find solace in bay leaves.
But when her life fell apart at forty and she bought the venerable-but-rundown Spice Shop in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, her days took a tasty turn. Now she’s savoring the prospect of a flavorful fall and a busy holiday cooking season, until danger bubbles to the surface ...
Between managing her shop, worrying about her staff, and navigating a delicious new relationship, Pepper’s firing on all burners. But when her childhood friend Maddie is shot and gravely wounded, the incident is quickly tied to an unsolved murder that left another close friend a widow.
Convinced that the secret to both crimes lies in the history of a once-beloved building, Pepper uses her local-girl contacts and her talent for asking questions to unearth startling links between the past and present—links that suggest her childhood friend may not have been the Golden Girl she appeared to be. Pepper is forced to face her own regrets and unsavory emotions, if she wants to save Maddie’s life—and her own.
Leslie Budewitz is the author of the Food Lovers’ Village Mysteries and the Spice Shop Mysteries, and the winner of Agatha Awards in three categories. Death al Dente, the first Food Lovers' Village Mystery, won Best First Novel in 2013, following her 2011 win in Best Nonfiction. Her first historical short story, "All God's Sparrows," won the 2018 Agatha Award for Best Short Story. Watch for her first standalone suspense novel, Bitterroot Lake (written as Alicia Beckman) in April 2021 from Crooked Lane Books.
A past president of Sisters in Crime and a current board member of Mystery Writers of America, she lives in northwest Montana with her husband, a musician and doctor of natural medicine, and their cat, an avid bird-watcher.
Swing by my website and join the mailing list for my seasonal newsletter. And join me on Facebook where I announce lots of giveaways from my cozy writer friends.
I've never been a huge fan of tomatoe soup but that picture with the flowers looks so very tempting. You are so right about food and memories. I am sitting here thinking about different soups and am instantly transported back in time to different places. Tomato soup from a school cafeteria while it was snowing in Upper Peninsula Michigan on an air force base. There was clam chowder from the Del Mar Fish Market restaurant with a side of sourdough bread on a date with my boyfriend. now husband. Making TLC chicken soup sure to knock out any cold with the garlic and cayenne kick. Hmmm, I wonder what I should make for dinner tonight now that I have all these recipes going through my thoughts? Might just need to try a new tomato souo recipe 😋🍅🍲
ReplyDeleteGreat memories! Remember to leave your email address for a chance to win!
DeleteWhen I was a kid we ate a lot of tomato soup, and I was also never a fan. Then a friend made us a lunch of tomato soup from fresh tomatoes, and wow. What a difference.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds delicious, Leslie. Now I want to have lunch with you and Pepper!
k maslowski at fuse dot net
Right? Fresh or good canned tomatoes make all the difference!
DeleteI don’t like tomato soup but as a kid I used to like Campbell’s Scotch broth but then I couldn’t find it any more. So I came up with my own recipe for lamb barley soup a few years ago.
ReplyDeletesgiden at verizon(.)net
I remember that one! My dad's fave, so of course, I declared it mine, too. Mr. Right loves it so we make our own a couple of times a winter -- your lamb version sounds great!
DeleteTomato Basil soup is one of my favorites and often I order it when out to lunch. Haven't ever made it though. I believe I will try this one. Thank you! Love your books, Leslie. Would love to win this one. marthajane758@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
DeleteSounds good! My mom really likes tomato soup, I'll have to make this for her.
ReplyDeletekozo8989(at)hotmail(dot)com
Oh, yes -- I hope she loves it!
DeleteSimple and you've done all the testing work for us. Nice.
ReplyDeleteJust add a grilled cheese sandwich and we're ready to go.
I've read that a mixed veg juice (a la V8) can work well in soup.
libbydodd at comcast dot net
Love tomato soup. Perfect soup weather here in NC.
ReplyDeleteJoliver284@yahoo.com
My pleasure! V-8 would be good -- a different flavor profile, but good!
ReplyDeleteOmgosh! That soup looks so delicious! I could go for a big bowl of that right now with a toasted cheese sandwich! And a side of pickles :) . One of my favorite comfort food combinations! LOVE the title of the book too! Course, I actually have a few bay leaves placed around my kitchen(have seen a few of those tiny ants running around). Bay leaves are supposed to be good for repelling the little demons. THanks for the chance to win! ladyofshalott03(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteDawn, I've heard that about bay leaves too, but have never tried it. I hope it works -- let me know!
DeleteThis sounds like a great fall recipe. Looks delicious. Looking forward to reading "The Solace of the Bay Leaves".
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Love making soup! Tomato soup and grilled cheese is the best.
ReplyDeletecupcakesannie@yahoo.com
A classic combo, for sure!
DeleteI love tomato soup. It's so comforting. Your pics look amazing!
ReplyDelete(I'm really behind on my TBR pile, so I'll pass on the giveaway. Congrats on your latest book!)
Thanks -- and congrats on YOUR new release!
DeleteI love tomato soup! Legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteIt looks great, I love tomato soup, and I just happen to have all of those ingredients. Definitely on this week's menu! Congrats on the new book and thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletesallycootie@gmail.com
This is the perfect tomato soup to go with a grilled cheese sandwich.
ReplyDeleteKitten143(at) Verizon(dot) net
I love soup any time of year, but fall and winter are truly soup seasons! I love to make my own split pea and navy bean soups, as well as many others.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Soup is one of my favorite things, especially in winter. And my husband and I love to have mugs of tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch when it's rainy outside. aut1063(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteNever have had tomato soup. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom
ReplyDeleteNever? In your whole life? Get cooking, girlfriend!
DeleteI didn't like tomato soup as a kid, but it's grown on me.
ReplyDeletewskwared(at)yahoo(dot)com
That soup looks so good. We usually have a few Creole tomato plants in our yard each. Nothing beats that taste! 1cow0993(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteYes, you've got me thinking of soup now. Tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich is one of my favorite comfort meals.
ReplyDeleteturtle6422 at gmail dot com
Too many of you lovelies to respond to each, but know that I am delighted to see you all here!
ReplyDeleteTomato soup and grilled cheese is a go to comfort food for my family’s
ReplyDeletebmedrano34@yahoo.com
I love tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches they are good any time. Debra Woloson daw655(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big fan of tomatoes but I do Love the soup! Looking forward to your latest book.
ReplyDeletekpbarnett1941(at)aol(dot)com
My husband loves tomato soup I’ll haveto try thisone. Thanks for the recipe. Jconklin7911@gmail.com.
ReplyDeleteGreat article, and a great recipe - I just know this book will be as awesome as the rest of the series
ReplyDeleteAs much as I like most tomato products, I'm not a fan of them whole or in soup form.
ReplyDeletejourneybound2010 AT gmail.com
Looks like tomato soup and grilled cheese have a lot of fans here!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI liked grilled cheese sandwiches but can't eat tomatoes! Luckily I can eat sauce, like on pizza!!! lindaherold999(at)gmail.com
ReplyDeleteKeep the comments coming -- winner will be chosen Friday!
ReplyDeleteI love tomato soup, especially with a grilled cheese sandwich! Perfect for cooler weather! This recipe sounds delicious! Thanks so much for the chance!
ReplyDeletejstomalis1053 (at) comcast (dot) net
I love tomato soup. I have never had homemade tomato soup. Yours looks delicious!!!
ReplyDeleteYum, tomato soup has always been a favorite my whole life. I even thought I invented tomato-basil as a teenager, who liked to experiment with recipes, lol. Sometimes I toss in some oregano too, but it's great any old way, as long as *cheese* is involved. This brings back lots of good memories, not only of Mom making it, esp. when I didn't feel well, but of me ordering it with a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch at several of my jobs in my younger years. Thanks, Leslie! lola777_22 at hotmail dot com
ReplyDeleteLove that you thought you invented it! And that we share the memory of ordering it for lunch in our young working years!
DeleteLove tomato soup...but must confess I have never tried to make it from scratch. May be I should add that to my "To Do" list. cindystamps(at)Juno(dot)com
ReplyDeleteOh, do! As you can see, it's quite easy, and there are so many variations. In these difficult times, I think we all benefit from a little extra comfort, and tomato soup and grilled cheese are IT!
DeleteLove tomato soup. Love making it from scratch. The best. Will try out your recipe! Thanks.
ReplyDeletejarjm1980@hotmail.com
My sister always liked tomato soup but I have never liked cooked tomatoes, only fresh ones. lkish77123 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteEating Tomato Basil Soup makes me feel like a gourmet or at least a foodie. It's so simple, but the dance of those two holy sisters is rapturous! sssusieqAThotmailDOTcom
ReplyDeleteRight? And I love thinking of the "holy sisters" dancing!
DeleteI have a sensitive tummy so I am a soup fanatic and make it every 3 days with 2 or 3 bay leaves in the pot. obriena73 (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteAh, yes. The solace of bay leaves extends to the tummy as well as the soul.
DeleteWe love tomato with basil leaves soup paired with grilled cheese sands after a day out in the cold weather. So satisfying. My grams grew both toms & basil. Nothing beats fresh. bessdeepotter84 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteFall is the perfect season for soup! I love the idea of simmering soup and crusty bread. Now my stomach is growling! Thanks for the recipe it sounds great! Can't wait to try it. Living in the Seattle area (Renton/Maple Valley) I love the spice shop series, especially all the Seattle history.
ReplyDeletewendylynpayne@gmail.com
I never made my own tomato soup but this looks good.
ReplyDeletejcook22@yahoo.com
I love tomato basil soup! When I was a kid and ate lunch at home, Kindergarten through 3rd grade, our standard lunch was grilled cheese sandwiches with Campbell's tomato soup. My Japanese mother didn't make American soups from scratch. Now, when I got sick, my favorite light meal was my mother's homemade miso soup and a small bowl of rice with nori tsukudani (roasted seaweed paste - sounds yucky but I still love it today). We grow Italian basil, so I need to make this recipe. teenlibn (at) hotmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteLove tomato soup and grilled cheese it is so yummy! Sarahbaby601973(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDelete