So, You're Probably Looking for Some Floating Islands...

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Unfortunately, this week's TWD recipe required a lot of standing at the stove, and other futzing around in the kitchen, and frankly, my ankle just wasn't up to it. Both Mr. SGCC and Mini SGCC have been pretty busy themselves, so neither were available to help. I'm really disappointed that I wasn't able to make Dorie's lovely Floating Islands this week. The recipe, which was chosen by Shari of Whisk: a food blog, looked like something I would have enjoyed. Sigh..... Hopefully, I will get to make them sometime soon. In the meantime, please take some time to check out all of the creative versions of this elegant dish at the Tuesdays with Dorie blogroll.

I don't want you to leave empty-handed, however. What kind of hostess would that make me? My Cream of Roasted Tomato & Rice Soup may not be as exotic as Île Flottante, but it is a creamy, velvety and delicious soup chock full of fresh tomato flavor. And, while it doesn't have fluffy little meringues floating in it, it does have some nice crunchy croutons floating on top. Luckily, I made this soup a few weeks ago, before my ill-fated ankle "mishap", so I'm able to share it with you now.

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I've always been a big fan of tomato soup, especially creamy tomato soup. I ask you, what else in the world could possibly go better with a grilled cheese sandwich? They're like the yin and yang of the lunch menu!

While I've spent most of my life happily relying on Campbell's for my tomato soup fixes, I decided to try my hand at making my own from scratch. I had a basket of big, beautiful, juicy heirloom tomatoes that were just shy of being overripe. They were a little too soft to cut up for a salad, so soup was just the thing.

I did a little research and found some great-looking recipes on the blogs. One that stood out to me was by Andrea of Andrea's Recipes. Her Cream of Roasted Tomato Soup was the perfect version to try. It looked so rich and inviting. Plus, it didn't seem to be too complicated or time-consuming to make. My thanks go out to Andrea for the inspiration!

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Of course, I had to add my own little touches to this soup. I can never leave well enough alone! In addition to a few minor tweaks, I swapped out the basil in the recipe for some fresh thyme. I also added some rice to the soup, just because I felt like it.

If you enjoy a good tomato soup, I encourage you to try this one. It really is a winner! I served mine with my favorite meatloaf (which I'll tell you about later), and it went over big at Chez SGCC.

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Cream of Roasted Tomato & Rice Soup
adapted from Andrea's Recipes
(Printable Recipe)

Ingredients:

2 pounds ripe sweet tomatoes
5-6 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup dry red wine
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup cup heavy cream
2 cups cooked white rice*
Salt to taste
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for sprinkling

Directions:

Preheat oven to 475° F.

Halve tomatoes lengthwise and lay them cut sides down on a baking sheet. Generously coat with 3-4 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with garlic, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper. Roast tomatoes until their edges are charred, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Scrape tomatoes, oil, and herbs from pan into a food processor. Process until tomatoes are mostly pureed, but still a little chunky.

In a medium saucepan, cook the onion in the remaining 2 tablespoons oil until translucent, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the roasted tomato puree and broth.

In a small bowl, whisk the wine and tomato paste together until well blended. Add to the soup.

Heat the cream and whisk into the soup. Add the rice and salt to taste. Bring soup to a simmer and continue to cook until heated through, about 5-10 minutes.

Top with the grated Parmesan

*You can use any leftover rice, if you have some. You could also use frozen microwaveable rice, which is what I did.

Enjoy!

Here are some other great soups from the SGCC archives that you might enjoy:

Spicy Pumpkin Soup

Asian Chicken Noodle Soup

Zucchini Vichyssoise

"Quick, But it Tastes Like it Took All Day" Chicken Soup

Beef Barley Soup

Comments

Maria said…
I am glad you posted the soup instead:) It looks so hearty and delicious!! It is snowing here so I would love a big bowl of this!
Andrea Meyers said…
Well thank you, I'm honored! We do love that soup, and I bet it was great with the rice. Your photos look so delicious, as always.
Anonymous said…
Oh wow - that looks so hearty, fresh and delicious!
Sorry to hear you are still on the mend, dear. Hope you are better soon!
amycaseycooks said…
Made a similar soup a couple weeks ago. I didn't add the wine - that would make it better. Also love croutons with my soup.
Anonymous said…
This tomato soup looks really delicious and I love the croutons on top!
Anonymous said…
I don't really like floating islands...but I love soup!!!! :) good choice!
Anonymous said…
I just made a tomato-fennel soup on Sunday and it turned out so yummy.

Your recipe looks great, I would have never thought of adding rice.
Lucy said…
I'm glad you posted the soup - it looks lovely, and I like the addition of the rice. Hope your ankle gets better soon! xxx
I've been eating too much lately. I'm much better off looking at nice nutritious soup recipes than I am making rich desserts. Not only is this a nice soup, but it also inspires envy that you have such nice tomatoes this time of year.
Luscious red tomatoes! The recipe and photos are both fabulous!
Anonymous said…
It's still a floating island with those croutons! We think this should count. :)
Manggy said…
Hmm, meatloaf or grilled cheese? Too hard to decide! They both sound awesome! I've never tried tomato soup before (hate using our sourish tomatoes), but when I get in touch with beautiful, ripe ones I should really give it a shot. Right now I can't feel my fingertips and it'd really hit the spot!

Please tell me your ankle is at least improving! O_o
Debbie said…
Looks delicious and I just love that it has heavy cream and wine...
Elyse said…
i'm not a huge fan of meringues anyway, but this soup, now that looks divine!
Anonymous said…
Mmm, tomato soup...that sounds good right about now.
vibi said…
I'm sorry to hear your ankle is hurting, hope you get better soon! I was sick too this week... like a dog as a matter of fact! Name it... I had it. I thought of dying for I acked so bad all over, I'd even qualify it of "more painful than giving birth"! ...but nope, I'm still alive, not perky but alive. And would have gladly exchange a cup of that wonderful soup, for a floating island, anytime! I never came around to liking those hummm... islands. Not here in my house, not in France's best restaurants, nowhere, pfff... goodness knows I tried. But hey, my family likes them, so ...I made them. I have to remember next time, to bargain for them: "You call Susan, bribe her anything you can think of, for a cup of that soup, IF you want those islands!" LOL LOL
Ingrid_3Bs said…
Hope you're back on your feet & 100% soon!!
~ingrid
Cathy said…
Now this is REALLY my kind of floating island. This soup looks perfect; in fact, I could really go for a bowl right now.
MaryBeth said…
My husband would love this soup
Anonymous said…
I love tomato soup but never thought to make it from scratch. I can't wait to make this one. Campbell's may be the last time for me.
Anonymous said…
MMmmmmm, this looks delicious! I don't feel like I'm missing anything having this soup instead of an ile flottante... Hope your foot/ankle will be better soon though!
pigpigscorner said…
This soup looks and sounds amazing! Your pictures are making me drool!
Are those tomatoes real? They look incredible! I love making homemade tomato soup and I'm definitely going to try this one. Looks great.
grace said…
i'd rather have a crouton than a puff of egg white anyway. :)
Unknown said…
your photography is awesome!!! :)
Jen said…
It looks absolutely amazing. I think I want to wait until it's tomato season up here, though.

On the other hand, this is such perfect tomato soup weather...

YUM.
Anonymous said…
That. looks. AMAZING!
Katrina said…
The soup looks SO good!
Tangled Noodle said…
I just want to dive right into this! The addition of rice is always tops in my book.
Anonymous said…
I'm totally cool with reading about tomato rice soup instead! You have no idea how much this reminds me of my childhood. I love rice in tomato soup!
AmyRuth said…
A great rainy day meal if you ask me. I totally love it that you have a post savings account with extra food photos just clicking around. So neat. In Texas there is a Tomato Basil soup at La Madeleine's - so good. I've never made it myself from scratch. Must add to list of "must try" recipes. Hope your feeling and healing better soon.
AmyRuth
Meg said…
I LOVE tomato and rice soup. I wish I had some of this now. Any idea what I could sub for the cream due to my dairy allergies?
The Food Hunter said…
I'm a huge fan of tomato soup. This one looks yummy.
I don't think there is anything more comforting than a bowl of tomato soup!
test it comm said…
Roasted tomato soup is one of my favorites and I like the use of the rice and cream in this one!
TeaLady said…
Let's see. Floating Islands. Floating Croutons. Nope, same principle. Great soup. Must try.
Anonymous said…
I would just like to let you know that I have just found a new favorite soup. I just made this recipe, and it is 10 times better than Panera Bread's creamy tomato soup.

It is perfect!

You are a genius.
Anonymous said…
This looks so delicious! I will definitely have to make it!
Cakelaw said…
LOL - I know what you mean about the "futzing" (great word by the way). I think your soup looks very good - I could use a bowl now.
Peter M said…
I'm glad you opted for savory...this trumps floating meringues any time!
Anonymous said…
I used to order the best tomato soup at this Lebanese resto in DC. geesh i don't think I've had one that good since... I love the ingredients in yours!
Olivia said…
As a vegetarian I appreciate this different take on tomato soup. :)

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