Stars

I don’t know about you, but whenever we have friends over for a meal, I experiment.  I have big ideas about food, and I see these special visits as the perfect opportunity to try something new.

I love tomato soup.  I love tomatoes.  I love fennel.  When I found this recipe, it was just perfect.  I made a big batch in the slow cooker.

Now, I did use store-bought canned tomatoes.  I know.  But the “fresh” tomatoes in the store have not been kissed by the sun.  But this had Rob and I both talking, we figured if we canned enough tomatoes this summer for the year, that would be a good thing.  Since we use tomatoes and tomato sauce in almost EVERYTHING, we figure 100 servings would get us through the year.  Ok Mom, how many tomatoes is that?

I started the day before, and roasted the fennel, then poured the fennel into the slow cooker with the tomatoes, broth and lemon juice, cooked is slowly for 4 hours, then let it sit over night.  When I tasted it this morning, I was so disappointed.  I tasted canned tomatoes.  OF COURSE!!!  ugh. I didn’t taste the roasted fennel that smelled so good the night before! I pureed the soup, added white beans and salt and pepper.  Still tasted like canned tomatoes.

Then, I made the Gremolata.  HOLY MOLY!  Such a bite!  Amazing.  This would surely save my soup.  And it did.  So delish.  I served the soup hot, but it could certainly be served chilled.  A total keeper, and it will be incredible at the height of tomato season.

Enjoy.  From Epicurious.com

I added white beans.  Served it with an asparagus and roasted garlic quiche and a lovely salad.  Brownies with salted caramel ice cream for desert.  YUM!

Soup

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups finely chopped fennel bulb
• 1 28-ounce can Italian-style tomatoes, drained, juices reserved
• 2 2/3 cups chicken stock or canned low-salt broth
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

Gremolata

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons chopped fennel fronds
• 4 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

For soup:
Heat oil in heavy large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped fennel bulb; sauté until tender but not brown, about 6 minutes. Add drained tomatoes; sauté 5 minutes. Add reserved tomato juices, stock and lemon juice. Cover; simmer 15 minutes. Puree soup in blender in batches until smooth. Return to pan. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

For Gremolata:
Mix all ingredients in small bowl.

Bring soup to simmer. Ladle into bowls. Stir spoonful of gremolata into each bowl and serve.