Willie's Cafe Tomato Bisque

Willie's Cafe Tomato Bisque

This soup is adapted from Willy's Cafe in London Ontario. Patrick and I used to walk over from my place on Piccadilly Street and have a warm refreshing soup. It always made our weekend.

We had it so often that the owner gave us the recipe on a card at the end of the year. It's one of my favorite soups. I serve it often.

I added this recipe because sometimes dinner can just be a simple soup made with fresh produce, a chunk of baguette and a movie! Serve it warm or cold.

Here is the recipe.

Tomato Soup:

1/2 cup unsalted butter (olive oil for a vegan)

1/2 cup chopped white onion

3 tbsp flour

1 1/2 teaspoons dill seed

1 1/2 teaspoons dill weed (fresh)

1 tsp dried oregano

5 cups pureed canned tomatoes

4 cups water with vegetable stick bouillon- or veg broth

4 teaspoons of honey

Salt and pepper to taste

1 1/2 cups of whipping cream ( leave out if vegan)

In a pot melt butter and sautee onions until golden brown.

Add herbs and cook for 1 minute.

Add flour cook for 2 minutes

add tomatoes and vegeatble stock. Simmer about 1/2 -1 hour.

Add honey and salt and pepper

Puree soup in a blender.

Add cream and heat through

Add fresh dill sprig to garnish.

Serve.

If you happen to dislike dill- take out dill seed and dill weed. Replace with a teaspoon of dried basil and fresh basil.

For a fresh summer version use fresh tomatoes, ripe and red!

For a richer taste and texture, roast your tomatoes first. In oven on high heat until lightly charred. DO NOT BURN!

On the bbq with perfectly ripe tomatoes only-grill until lightly charred.