An elevated Turkish classic made with oven-roasted tomatoes, garlic, and onions, blended into a silky, creamy soup.
Servings 4people
Course Soup
Cuisine Turkish
Ingredients
4largeTomatoes, halved
1largeOnion, sliced into rings
1cloveGarlic
1tspDried thyme
2tbspOlive oil (for roasting)
1tbspButter
1tbspAll-purpose flour
1tbspTomato paste
4cupsWater or vegetable broth
1cupMilk
¼cupGrated Kashar cheese or mozzarella (for serving)
Equipment
Baking Sheet: To roast the tomatoes, onions, and garlic to perfection.
Immersion Blender: For getting that signature velvety smooth texture.
Large Soup Pot: To simmer all the ingredients together.
Fine-Mesh Strainer: For an extra-silky, professional finish.
Method
Place the halved tomatoes, onion rings, and garlic on a baking tray. Sprinkle with thyme and drizzle with olive oil. Roast at 190°C (375°F) until the vegetables are charred and soft.
Once out of the oven, carefully peel the skins off the roasted tomatoes and discard them.
In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk constantly until it smells slightly nutty but doesn't brown.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute to release its color and aroma.
Add the roasted tomatoes, onions, and garlic into the pot. Sauté them with the flour mixture for 2-3 minutes.
Pour in 1 liter of water. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes.
Use a hand blender to process the soup until it is completely smooth and silky.
Gradually stir in the milk. Let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes until the soup reaches a rich, velvety consistency.
Ladle into bowls and top with a generous amount of grated kashar cheese while the soup is piping hot.
Roasting the tomatoes, onion, and garlic before blending gives the soup a deeper, slightly smoky flavor. Make sure the tomatoes are placed cut-side up on the baking tray so they caramelize instead of releasing too much water.