Tomato and Bread Soup
Tomato and Bread Soup
A rustic Tuscan pappa al pomodoro: crisped bread simmered with sage, garlic and plum tomatoes into a thick, comforting soup.
Prep: 15 minutes · Cook: 45 minutes
What Is Tomato and Bread Soup?
A classic Tuscan bread soup, pappa al pomodoro, that turns stale bread and ripe tomatoes into a thick, comforting bowl flavoured with garlic and sage.
Why Make Tomato and Bread Soup?
- A thrifty way to use stale bread
- Pure, comforting tomato flavour
- Few ingredients, big results
- Naturally vegetarian with vegetable broth
- A taste of rustic Tuscan cooking
Unico Products Used in This Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup fresh sage leaves
- 8 oz stale coarse bread (thinly sliced)
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- 8 cups light meat broth
- 796 mL plum tomatoes
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a saucepan over moderate heat, add the garlic and sage and cook until the garlic begins to colour.
- Add the thinly sliced bread and brown well on both sides, stirring; season with salt and pepper.
- Bring the broth to a boil in a large saucepan.
- Blend or finely chop the tomatoes, add to the bread mixture and cook a few minutes over high heat, stirring.
- Pour into the boiling broth, reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 40 minutes.
- Taste, adjust the salt, and serve hot.
Cooking Tips
- Use firm, coarse-textured stale bread so it holds up
- Crisp the bread in the oil for deeper flavour
- Use ripe, flavourful tomatoes or good canned plum tomatoes
- Simmer until thick and porridge-like
- Finish each bowl with a drizzle of raw olive oil
Frequently Asked Questions About Tomato and Bread Soup
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1. What is pappa al pomodoro?
It's a traditional Tuscan soup thickened with bread — this recipe is a version of it.
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2. What bread works best?
Firm, coarse-textured stale bread; soft sandwich bread turns to mush.
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3. Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes; use vegetable broth in place of meat broth.
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4. How do I store leftovers?
Refrigerate up to 3 days; it thickens, so loosen with broth or water when reheating.
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5. Can I serve it cold?
Yes; pappa al pomodoro is good warm or at room temperature, drizzled with olive oil.
Tomato and Bread Soup Made Simple
Tomato and Bread Soup is humble Tuscan comfort that makes the most of simple pantry staples. Unico plum tomatoes give it a rich, sweet base.