Taking the humble tomato to new heights
It is really a wonderful surprise when an ordinary ingredient is presented in an extraordinary way.
Gazpacho is a well known Spanish favourite, but this roasted relative surpasses it on every level - it delivers abundantly on flavour and taste. Serve it as an elegant starter, garnished with basil or mint and accompanied by freshly baked baguette or sesame crackers.
It is really a wonderful surprise when an ordinary ingredient is presented in an extraordinary way.
Gazpacho is a well known Spanish favourite, but this roasted relative surpasses it on every level - it delivers abundantly on flavour and taste. Serve it as an elegant starter, garnished with basil or mint and accompanied by freshly baked baguette or sesame crackers.
Paul and Corine Leeuwerik are our neighbours and the owners of the Olifantsberg Family Vineyards. Paul is into the winemaking side producing exceptional wines, but it is Corine's culinary skills that tempted me to make one of my least favourite dishes - cold tomato soup!
Having dinner with them one evening she served this soup as part of a trio of starters. The melon and parma ham was lovely, the smoked salmon terrine was equally good, but it was the tomato soup that was an absolute revelation. Good enough for me to ask her for the recipe. I got the recipe - and more - a masterclass in her own kitchen on how to make it.
Having dinner with them one evening she served this soup as part of a trio of starters. The melon and parma ham was lovely, the smoked salmon terrine was equally good, but it was the tomato soup that was an absolute revelation. Good enough for me to ask her for the recipe. I got the recipe - and more - a masterclass in her own kitchen on how to make it.
As with most dishes that rely on one or two main ingredients it is vitally important to use the best quality ingredients possible. Vine ripened tomatoes and supersweet palermo peppers. They simply burst with flavour, especially after being oven-roasted with the other ingredients.
Make the soup well in advance - it will last three to five days in the fridge and also freezes well, making it ideal as an entertaining dish.
Recipe: Roasted Tomato and Sweet Palermo Pepper Soup
Make the soup well in advance - it will last three to five days in the fridge and also freezes well, making it ideal as an entertaining dish.
Recipe: Roasted Tomato and Sweet Palermo Pepper Soup