So I was cleaning out the refrigerator—an interesting exercise in culinary archaeology—and I mentioned to my husband, Marc, that I’d found six whole tomatoes in the crisper, and they were in no shape for a salad or garnish. "I hate to throw them out, so if you want to do something with them, be my guest..."
 |
| Cleo ponders a solution to overripe tomatoes. (BTW, these weren't them.) |
An hour later, sitting at my laptop, my concentration was broken by an enticing scent. I followed the aromatic breadcrumbs to find my six-foot husband bent over a steaming pot. "It’s a sauce, but it’s pretty loose," he said. "I was about to thicken it with a small can of tomato paste."
I tasted it and shook my head. "You don’t need tomato paste because you’ve made an amazing tomato soup here, not a sauce." Then he tasted it and shook his head. "It’s not soup yet, but it could be..."
I agreed. "Especially if you cream it!"
Another half hour ticked by. When I sampled the soup again, it tasted even better.
"I think it’s more of a chowder or stew than a soup," my husband now insisted. "Whatever you want to call it, the stuff is great,” I replied. And the best part of this story is that you, dear reader, do not have to take my word for it. You can try the recipe for yourself.
Cleo Coyle's (Spring Excavation Soup)
Tomato Bisque with Bacon
 |
Cleo Coyle has a partner in
crime-writing—her husband.
Learn about their books
|
To download a free PDF of
this recipe that you can print,
save, or share, click here.
 |
| Click for free Recipe PDF. |
Cleo Coyle's (Spring Excavation Soup)
Tomato Bisque with Bacon
Makes about 6 servings
Ingredients:
5 slices bacon, chopped
¼ pound ground sausage (we had breakfast sausage on hand)
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
8 cloves garlic, peeled and whole
2 yellow onions, diced
4 stalks celery, chopped
1 large carrot, diced
1 tablespoon oregano
¼ teaspoon crushed red peppers
6 large tomatoes, cleaned and chopped
1 cup chicken, beef, or vegetable stock
1 cup water
¼ cup heavy cream
STEP 1 - PRIME THE POT: Sauté the bacon in a five quart pot. When the bacon is browned, add the sausage and break it up. When the pork is browned add salt, the ground black pepper, and the garlic cloves (whole). Cook until the outside of the garlic begins to look clear, about 3 to 5 minutes.
STEP 2 - ADD THE VEGETABLES: Stir in the diced onions and carrots, and the chopped celery. Cook over medium heat, about 5 to 8 minutes.
STEP 3 - SPICE PLUS TOMATOES: Add the oregano and crushed red pepper, stir well and cook for another minute. Add the chopped tomatoes and stir the pot. Finally add the stock and the water. Stir as the ingredients come to a boil. Cover loosely and simmer over a low heat for about thirty minutes, stirring occasionally.
STEP 4 - CREAM IT: For added richness, add heavy cream (or half-and-half or even milk) after thirty minutes and simmer for another 3 to 5 minutes. Buzz with a hand blender, if you like, to smooth the texture.
Serve hot with crackers or crusty bread and...
🌷
Have a beautiful spring!
Cleo Coyle's
(Spring Excavation Soup)
Tomato Bisque with Bacon
|
| Click for free Recipe PDF. |
Eat (and read) with joy!
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"A gripping and entertaining mystery"
--Library Journal (Starred Review)
*
"Penetrating insights" --Kirkus Reviews
*
"Sure to delight" --Publishers Weekly
🍴
Our culinary mystery includes
25 delicious recipes! To get the
Free Recipe Guide, click here.
25 delicious recipes! To get the
Free Recipe Guide, click here.
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| Click for Free Recipe Guide to Shot in the Dark. |
A "Best Book of 2018!"
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~ Suspense Magazine
"He is hardboiled in the tradition
of Philip Marlowe, and she is a genteel
Miss Marple; yet the two opposites
make an explosive combination..."
—Midwest Book Review
"He is hardboiled in the tradition
of Philip Marlowe, and she is a genteel
Miss Marple; yet the two opposites
make an explosive combination..."
—Midwest Book Review
of Philip Marlowe, and she is a genteel
Miss Marple; yet the two opposites
make an explosive combination..."
—Midwest Book Review