I made some enchiladas a few weeks ago and added one chipotle chilli for four people. You couldn’t taste it at all; there was a little bit of smoky flavour but no chilli heat; it wasn’t the end of the world, they were still very tasty. When I made this Smoky Chipotle Tomato Soup I added one chilli again, this time for two people, and it was probably the hottest thing I have ever eaten. It’s amazing how different two chillies that look just the same can have completely different heat levels. Despite it being so hot, it was actually rather delicious. Served with lots of bread and a glass of milk.
Ingredients
You will need (for two generous bowls):
- 1 onion, roughly chopped £0.10
- 1 carrot, diced £0.08
- Olive oil for cooking £0.10
- 1 large garlic clove, crushed £0.05
- 1 chipotle chilli, roughly chopped £0.20
- 1 tin tomatoes £0.75
- 1 tbsp tomato paste £0.05
- 250ml vegetable stock £0.30
- 150ml single cream £0.55
- Salt and pepper £0.05
Total £2.23
Method
Start by frying the onions and carrot together in a little olive oil on a medium heat. Cook them for at least 15 minutes and then add the garlic and chipotle chilli and fry for another five minutes.
Pour in the tomatoes, vegetable stock and tomato paste and bring everything to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and simmer for 15 minutes.
Blend the soup until it’s the texture you like (I like mine almost completely smooth) then return to a low heat, add a little salt and pepper and the cream. Stir everything together then serve with some crusty bread. You can top with a little fresh coriander if you like.
I served this with some bake at home baguettes that I had pre-sliced before baking and I spread a little sundried tomato paste and parsley to each slice before baking.
I do like adding a dribble of cream to a tomato soup; in this case it did help to take the edge off the chilli. The base of carrots and onions adds a lovely sweetness to the soup along with the savoury flavour from the stock and the slightly acidic tomatoes it ends up lovely and balanced with a smoky backbone and, in this case, very spicy. If you don’t fancy it as hot, add a little smoked paprika for a similar smoky tomato soup without the chilli heat. Simple to make, cheap and easy to scale up for more portions this is a vibrant, happy soup for a rainy spring day.
The soup looks so creamy and must be extremely flavoursome with smoky chipotle.
Hi Caroline, this would fit perfectly in Food on Friday under the tomato theme. Hope you bring it on over. Cheers from Carole’s Chatter
i’ve had that experience too! you can never be too sure about those suckers! 🙂
i like this soup–it’s basic but so satisfying!
Oh Caroline, this tomato soup sounds delicious…lots of flavors, especially the smoky chipotle…yum!
Have a great weekend 🙂
thanks for stopping by with your great soup. Cheers
This sounds like something we will love! When I first read the title, I wondered, “Where does Caroline get chipotle chiles?” Do they carry them at Waitrose? Honestly I never thought to look when we were there!
I love the idea of smoky flavour with a bit of spice in tomato soup a lot. Perhaps not the whole chilli worth for me (a bit of a wuss when it comes to a lot of heat) 😉 One to try!
This soup looks so creamy and yummy. Love the flavors. Yum.
I’m a big fan of smoked paprika (and not such a fan of extreme heat) – I think I know which way I’d take this recipe!
Oh what a lovely soup and yep a surprise how hot it will be. I have had the same thing happen to me with hot peppers. Great tip to have the bread and a glass of milk near by!
Im a big fan of chipotle chillies – i love all the flavours you have in this soup. It sounds so delicious and comforting
We always keep a can of chipotle chiles on hand because I love the smoky flavor they add to many dishes. Using one in tomato soup sounds really good!
oh, i definitely know what you mean about chilis being so different heat-wise! i never know what i’m going to get when i order indian curry, even when i ask for mild. oh well. the cream sounds delicious in this (when does cream not sound good?!), but i bet some greek yogurt stirred in would also be tasty (:
The soup looks extremely creamy and packed with flavors!
Love chipotle! And one can vary from another, in terms of heat. Which makes them a bit of challenge to use sometimes! Anyway, terrific soup — my kind of dish. Thanks!
This smoky chipotle tomato soup looks so rich, creamy and comfy. I can almost smell the aroma.
This is right up my eat street because I think spicy is nicey! It’s winter here, so it’s perfect soup weather!
I’m on the hunt for the perfect tomato soup recipe and yours sounds so delicious and flavorful with the addition of chipotle peppers!!!
Looks delicious! I love how smooth it is and that bright color. I don’t mind extra heat either.
This smoky chipotle tomato soup seems delightful! Well done, Caroline!
Wow sounds like it packed a punch, looks great though.