This rendition of a classic tomato bisque is on the lighter side and places roasted tomatoes at the forefront.
By Kelsey Hilts
Tomato bisque is comfort food. It is a soup that is thick, rich and typically butter and cream-based. My rendition of tomato bisque is on the lighter side and places roasted tomatoes at the forefront. A splash of cream gives the soup the creamy, comforting qualities for which bisque is known and loved without making it unbearably rich. The swirl of chipotle cream adds some visual pizazz and a subtle smoky and spicy flair that will entice your taste buds. The southwestern twist allows the soup to be paired with a variety of foods, from grilled cheese sandwiches to quesadillas. 
Roasted Tomato Bisque with Chipotle Cream
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 2-4 1x
Description
This roasted tomato bisque is creamy and comforting without being unbearably rich. The swirl of chipotle cream adds some visual pizazz and a subtle smoky and spicy flair that will entice your taste buds.
Ingredients
Chipotle Cream
- 2 Tbsp (26g) oil
- 4 tomatillos
- 2 Roma tomatoes, cut in half
- 1/2 white onion, cut in large chunks
- 6–8 cloves of garlic
- 2–4 jalapeno or serrano peppers
- 1 7-ounce can (198g) of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1 bunch of cilantro leaves
- 1–2 tsp (5-10g) salt, to taste
- 1/4 cup (30g) light sour cream
Roasted Tomato Bisque
- 1–2 Tbsp (13-26g) oil
- 1 Tbsp (14g) butter
- 8 Roma tomatoes {or a 28-ounce can (794g) of fire-roasted tomatoes}
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups (473mL) low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 cup (59mL) heavy cream
- 1/4 tsp (0.6g) cayenne pepper
- Dash of black pepper
- 1 tsp (5g) salt, to taste
Instructions
Chipotle Cream
- Heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the whole tomatillos, whole jalapenos, onion chunks, tomato halves and whole garlic cloves.
- Roast them until golden on all sides, flipping them occasionally so that all sides cook.
- If they begin to stick to the pan, add a splash of water to the pan, reduce the heat and cover the pan to allow them to simmer and cook.
- Add the roasted vegetables to the blender with the chipotle peppers and the cilantro.
- Blend until a smooth salsa forms, adding salt to taste.
- In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup (30g) sour cream with 1/4 cup (59mL) chipotle salsa.
- Save the remaining salsa for another use.
Roasted Tomato Bisque
- Coat a pan with 1 Tbsp (13g) oil and place it over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and garlic and cook until they are translucent.
- As the mixture begins to turn golden and once it starts to stick to the pan, add 1 Tbsp (14g) butter and continue cooking them.
- Cut the stems off of the tomatoes and cut them in half.
- Add the tomatoes face up and let them roast in the pan, stirring the veggies occasionally.
- Flip the tomatoes once the skins start to roast.
- Reduce the heat and cover the pan, allowing the tomatoes to cook down so that they can be easily mashed.
- The juices from the tomatoes will keep the onion and garlic from sticking to the pan so they should be soft and golden at this point.
- Remove the veggies from the heat and blend them for 30 seconds on high or until smooth.
- Return the blended tomato mixture to the pan and add the chicken broth and seasonings.
- Stir in the cream and let the soup simmer for 10 minutes or until warmed through.
- Ladle the soup into the serving bowls.
- Garnish the bisque with a swirl of chipotle cream.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 mins
