The Gilt

Smoked Tomato Soup
Spicy Crème Fraiche, Chives

Warm up this winter with Gilt’s hearty Smoked Tomato Soup! Pair this recipe with the “Gossip Girl” Grilled Cheese sandwich and cozy up with this classic American dish.

Yields: 4 portions
Portion Size: 6 ounces

Ingredients:

• 4 Ripe Large Tomatoes
• 2 Small shallots, peeled and sliced thin
• 2 Garlic cloves, peeled and sliced thin
• 3 Cup chicken Stock or Low Sodium Broth
• ¼ Cup Heavy Cream
• 1 Teaspoon lemon juice

• 1 Bunch of Basil
• 1 Bunch of Chives, sliced thin
• ½ Cup Crème Fraiche or Sour Cream
• 1 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Special Equipment:

• Outdoor Grill
• 1 Cup Hickory Wood Chips
• Aluminum Foil
• Blender

Preparing the Smoked Tomato Soup:

1. Smoking the Tomatoes: Core and cut the tomatoes in half. Make a little tray out of the aluminum foil and place the wood chips in the tray. Place the tray in the middle of the grill on the briquettes or coals. Light the chips and let them burn for about 2 minutes; then blow them out. A good amount of smoke should start to form, it not, burn again for another 2 minutes. Place tomatoes over the smoke on the grill flesh side down and then cover the grill. Tomatoes should smoke for about 8 to 10 minutes. Once tomatoes are smoked, remove from the grill and peel.
2. Making the Soup: Start to sweat the shallots and garlic in a medium size pot over medium heat until translucent. Then add the tomatoes, stock, and heavy cream to the pot and simmer for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, blend the soup until smooth. Add the soup back to a clean pot; add the bunch of basil, lemon juice, and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Allow the basil to steep for 1 hour, then remove the basil and cool until serving.

3. Spicy Crème Fraiche: Add the crème fraiche and cayenne to a bowl and mix well. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper.
4. Plating the soup: Heat the soup up in a medium pot. Portion the soup into 4 bowls and garnish with the spicy crème fraiche and sliced chives.