How to Make Paleo-Friendly Creamy Tomato Soup

How to Make Paleo-Friendly Creamy Tomato Soup

When it comes to comfort food, few dishes can beat the classic tomato soup. Its rich, hearty flavor warms you up from the inside out, making it a favorite during cooler months or anytime you need a little boost of coziness. But what if you’re following a specific diet, like Paleo, which emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods and eliminates grains, legumes, and dairy? Can you still enjoy this comfort food staple? Absolutely! Let’s dive into how you can make a creamy tomato soup that’s both delicious and Paleo-friendly.

Why Go Paleo-Friendly?

Before we get cooking, let’s briefly touch on why you might opt for a Paleo-friendly version of tomato soup. The Paleo diet focuses on eating foods that our ancestors presumably ate: vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and lean meats. It cuts out anything that comes from agriculture or processing like dairy, grains, and sugars. By choosing to make a Paleo-friendly tomato soup, you’re not only adhering to this diet but also opting for a meal that’s likely lower in calories and potentially better for those with certain dietary restrictions or allergies.

Ingredients:

To make your Paleo-friendly creamy tomato soup, you’ll need:

• 2 tablespoons of olive oil or avocado oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• 2 cans (14 oz each) of diced tomatoes, no salt added
• 1 can (14 oz) of full-fat coconut milk
• 2 cups of chicken or vegetable broth (make sure it’s Paleo-friendly)
• 1 teaspoon of sea salt (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon of dried basil or a few fresh basil leaves, chopped
• Red pepper flakes (optional, for a kick)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Veggies: Start by dicing your onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. These veggies will form the flavorful base of your soup.

2. Cook the Base: In a large pot, heat the olive or avocado oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and garlic, sautéing until they become translucent and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Then, add the carrot and celery, continuing to cook for another 5 minutes until they start to soften.

3. Add Tomatoes and Broth: Pour in the diced tomatoes (juice and all) and the chicken or vegetable broth. Give everything a good stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.

4. Blend it Up: Once your veggies are soft, it’s time to make the soup creamy. Carefully blend the soup until smooth using either an immersion blender right in the pot or by transferring the soup in batches to a blender. Return the blended soup to the pot if using a regular blender.

5. Make it Creamy: Stir in the can of full-fat coconut milk, which adds a rich, creamy texture without dairy. Add the salt, pepper, and dried basil. If you like a little heat, now’s the time to toss in those optional red pepper flakes.

6. Final Touches: Let the soup simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes after adding the coconut milk, stirring occasionally. This lets the flavors meld together beautifully.

7. Serve & Enjoy: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Then, ladle it into bowls, garnish with fresh basil if you have it, and serve warm.

Additional Tips:

• Fresh Tomatoes: If you have fresh tomatoes on hand, you can certainly use those instead of canned. You’ll need about 3-4 cups of fresh, diced tomatoes. Just keep in mind that the cooking time may need to be adjusted slightly.

• Storage: This soup stores beautifully in the fridge for up to 5 days and freezes well for up to 3 months. Just make sure it’s cooled completely before transferring it to airtight containers.

• Serving Suggestions: While this soup is a standout on its own, it pairs wonderfully with a fresh garden salad or Paleo-friendly bread for dipping.

Creating a Paleo-friendly version of creamy tomato soup is not only simple, but it also allows you to enjoy a classic comfort food in a way that fits your dietary needs. With a few tweaks to traditional ingredients, you can whip up a delicious, nourishing soup that everyone at the table will love, regardless of their diet. Happy cooking!