Chilled Tarragon Tomato Soup

Here’s a Chilled Tarragon Tomato Soup recipe, perfectly portioned for two people. It’s vegetarian, refreshing, and ideal for warm days. The subtle anise flavor of tarragon complements the acidity of tomatoes beautifully.

 Chilled Tarragon Tomato Soup (Serves 2)

 Total Time:

• Prep time: 15 minutes

• Cooking time: 10 minutes

• Chilling time: 1–2 hours

• Total time: ~1 hour 30 minutes

 Ingredients:

• 500g ripe tomatoes (about 4 medium), chopped

• 1 small shallot or ½ small red onion, finely chopped

• 1 small garlic clove, minced

• 1 tbsp fresh tarragon, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp red wine vinegar or sherry vinegar

• ¼ tsp sea salt (adjust to taste)

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• Optional: ½ tsp sugar (to balance acidity, if needed)

• 60ml (¼ cup) cold water or vegetable broth (optional, for thinning)

Garnish:

• A few fresh tarragon leaves

• Drizzle of olive oil

• Croutons or a dollop of crème fraîche (optional, not vegan)

 Equipment:

• Medium saucepan

• Blender (immersion or countertop)

• Fine mesh strainer (optional, for smoother texture)

• Chopping board and knife

• Bowl for chilling

• Refrigerator

 Preparation Instructions:

1. Sauté aromatics:

   • In the saucepan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat.

   • Add chopped shallot and garlic. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.

2. Cook tomatoes:

   • Add chopped tomatoes and tarragon to the pan.

   • Season with salt, pepper, and (optional) sugar.

   • Simmer uncovered for 8–10 minutes until tomatoes have broken down and are juicy.

3. Blend:

   • Remove from heat. Let it cool for 5 minutes.

   • Blend until smooth using a countertop or immersion blender.

   • (Optional) Strain through a fine sieve into a bowl for a silkier texture.

4. Season and chill:

   • Stir in the vinegar and thin with a bit of cold water or broth if too thick.

   • Taste and adjust seasoning.

   • Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 24 hours for deeper flavor).

5. Serve:

   • Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh tarragon, olive oil drizzle, and (optional) croutons or crème fraîche.

 Nutrition Information (per serving):

(Approximate, without optional garnishes)

• Calories: 120 kcal

• Protein: 2 g

• Carbohydrates: 14 g

• Sugars: 9 g

• Fat: 7 g

• Saturated Fat: 1 g

• Fiber: 3 g

• Sodium: 250 mg