Citrus and Spice Cold Tomato Soup

This is a killer soup that is very easy to make and very gourmet by most people’s standards. Anyway you want to look at this recipe, the guests are going to go bonkers - relish in the success!

This is the perfect dish for a hot summer night. The soup is rich in flavors that are very delicate and make for a great experience. Hints of citrus, mint, lemongrass and other ingredients come together into an amazing culinary marriage.

While I do favor short cuts (at times), this is one soup that I recommend playing by the rules. Follow the recipe the first time. Make sure to use fresh ingredients and herbs.

I recommend a low sodium canned tomato for this recipe. You can always add more salt if it is needed but you cannot take out what is in the can.

Some other suggestions to kick this already awesome soup up a few more notches: retain some of the tomato as dices for more texture/mouth feel, top with a nice homemade crouton or dash with hot sauce for a little more kick.

Ingredients

• 5 cans of 14-ounce of diced tomatoes in juice
• 2 cups chicken stock or canned low-salt broth
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1/2 cup chopped shallots
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh arugula
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp minced lemongrass
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp vodka (optional)
• 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger
• 1 tbsp chopped garlic
• 2 tsp grated lime peel

Process

1. Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-low heat

2. Add tomatoes with their juice, shallots, lemongrass, ginger and garlic - simmer until liquid evaporates (about 11 to 14 mins)

3. Add honey and simmer until mixture is very thick - stirring frequently (about 7 to 10 mins)

4. Add chicken stock and next 5 ingredients - simmer for 30 minutes

5. Working in batches, strain soup into large bowl pressing on solids to release juices - discard solids

6. Season with salt and pepper to taste

7. Chill soup at least 8 hours

8. Stir lemon juice (and vodka if using) it into soup

9. Garnish with arugula