Provence in a Bowl Fennel Tomato Soup with Pastis
David Scott Allen · Provencal Recipes · Soup · TasteIn his easy recipe, David has combined iconic tastes of Provence – tomatoes, fennel and Pastis – into a bowl (original Cocoa & Lavender post here).
In summer months, local market stands showcase tomatoes of every description from trendy multi-coloured heirloom varieties to a Provencal version of the juicy beefsteak to tiny cocktail versions. Fennel grows wild along the side of the road, where sensible cooks harvest the stocks for use in recipes at a later date. On the fennel theme, Pastis is a popular anise-flavoured liqueur that turns a cloudy yellow when water is added to the glass.
Fennel-Tomato Soup with Pastis
Ingredients
- 8 tbsp butter
- 1 large fennel bulb chopped with feather fronds reserved
- 1 large sweet onion chopped
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Chimayo chile powder or other mild chile powder
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 35-oz can (1L) Peeled Roma Tomatoes
- 1 cup Vegetable Broth
- 4 tbsp Pastis or to taste
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the chopped fennel and onion and cook over medium-low heat until vegetables are soft - about 20 minutes.
- Add salt, chile and pepper, and cook one minute more.
- Add the tomatoes and all the juices form the can, stir well and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and cook a simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Set aside to let cool slightly.
- Purée the soup in two batches in a blender, adding 1/2 cup of the vegetable stock to each batch.
- Put the soup through the finest disk of a food mill into a clean pan and add the pastis, stirring to blend.
- Thoroughly wash the feathery fennel fronds and reserve 8 small stems for garnish, if desired.
- Chop remaining fronds and stir in 1/4 cup (packed) to the soup. Bring to a simmer and serve.
Notes
Saint-Tropez - Jewel of the French Riviera: Full day tour with a winery visit
Spend your day as a movie star in Saint-Tropez! The departure is set early in the morning to avoid the traffic towards the legendary town, with which a thousand stories are associated. The experience will start with a tour of this enchanting small fishing town of Saint-Tropez, which inspired numerous painters and whose beauty of the port always attracted the cinematographic world.
Book this ExperienceLegal
All rights reserved. Perfectly Provence articles and other content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten (including translations into other languages) or redistributed without written permission. For usage information, please contact us.
Syndication InformationAffiliate Information
As an Amazon Associate, this website earns from qualifying purchases. Some recipes, posts and pages may have affiliate links. If you purchase via these links, we receive a small commission that does not impact your price. Thank you in advance for supporting our work to maintain Perfectly Provence.
Previous Post
Beyond the end of the Veloroute 1 to CeresteNext Post
14 Ways to Celebrate Bastille DayRelated Provence Articles
Recipe for Roast Tomato Tart with Goat’s Cheese
A Perfectly French Lunch Tarte aux Tomates
Pastis a Popular Liquor in Provence
My Provençal Salad the Tastes of Eating Local in Provence
No Comment