Best Tomato Consomme Recipes

CHILLED TOMATO CONSOMMé

Steps:

• Cut fronds from fennel stalks and reserve. Cut whole fennel (with stalks) in half lengthwise and core. Separate layers, reserving 3 or 4 tender inner pieces, and coarsely chop remaining fennel, including stalks.
• Cook onions, garlic, and chopped fennel in oil in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until softened, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in puréed tomato, 1 teaspoon sea salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 20 minutes.
• Pour tomato mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a 4-quart saucepan, pressing hard on solids and then discarding them, and bring tomato broth to a full boil.
• Whisk together egg whites, herbs, ice, remaining 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a bowl until frothy, then quickly pour into boiling broth, whisking vigorously 2 or 3 times. (Egg mixture will rise to surface and form a "raft.") When broth returns to a simmer, find a place where bubbles break through raft and gently enlarge hole to the size of a ladle. Cook broth at a bare simmer, uncovered, without stirring (keep raft opening clear by gently spooning out any froth), until broth is clear, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Remove saucepan from heat and, disturbing raft as little as possible, carefully ladle out consommé through opening in raft, tilting saucepan as necessary, and transfer to cleaned fine-mesh sieve lined with a double layer of dampened paper towels set over a bowl or large glass measure. Discard raft. Chill consommé, uncovered, until cold, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Just before serving, season consommé with salt. Slice reserved tender fennel into thin slivers and toss with fennel fronds, pear tomatoes, and vinegar. Divide consommé and tomato salad among chilled bowls.

TOMATO CONSOMMé - JAMIE OLIVER

Steps:

• Put everything except the beetroot into a food processor and run until slushy. (You will probably want to split the tomatoes into 2 batches to avoid spillage.).
• Place 4 layers of clean muslin cheesecloth in a deep bowl. Pour the tomato mixture into the cloth. Tie up the corners of the fabric. Add the slice of beetroot to the bowl to color the liquid. Hang the bag from a shelf in the refrigerator with the bowl underneath for 6-8 hours (or longer). Discard the beetroot.
• Serve in a pretty clear bowl with an ice cube to keep it very cold, a nice basil leaf, and a few drops of very good extra-virgin olive oil.

TOMATO AND CELERY-INFUSED BEEF CONSOMMé WITH TINY CHOUX PUFFS

Steps:

• Whisk egg whites in a large bowl until foamy and add eggshells. Separately pulse tomatoes and celery in a food processor until coarsely chopped, then add to egg whites. Whisk in beef, salt, and peppercorns.
• Heat veal stock, if jellied, in a 4-quart heavy saucepan just until it becomes liquid, then whisk in beef mixture. Heat over moderately high heat, stirring and scraping bottom constantly with a wooden spoon to prevent egg white from sticking, until stock comes to a simmer (this will take about 20 minutes). Reduce heat and gently simmer broth, without stirring, until all impurities rise to surface and form a crust, and broth underneath is clear, about 30 minutes.
• Ladle broth with crust into a large sieve lined with a double thickness of dampened paper towels set over a large bowl and let all liquid drain through. (If liquid doesn't drain completely, tap edge of sieve repeatedly with a metal spoon to help drain.) Broth should be completely clear; if it's not, repeat procedure with clean dampened paper towels. Discard solids.
• Before serving, bring consommé to a boil and season with salt. Ladle into bowls and top with profiteroles and garnishes.

CHILLED HEIRLOOM TOMATO CONSOMMÉ

Steps:

• Place the tomatoes, shallot, garlic, torn basil leaves, cracked pepper and a large pinch of sea salt into a blender container and pulse until the mixture becomes smooth. Place a strainer lined with cheesecloth over a bowl and pour the soup into the cheesecloth and tie the bundle closed. Suspend the puree over the bowl and let sit until completely drained. The tomato water can be drained overnight in the refrigerator. Season the cherry tomatoes with salt and black pepper and divide the tomatoes between the 4 bowls. Drizzle the olive oil over the cherry tomatoes and garnish with basil leaves and croutons. Pour the chilled tomato consommé over the garnish and serve immediately.

STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS POACHED IN TOMATO CONSOMME

Steps:

• Combine lemon juice, vinegar, salt and pepper in a glass or ceramic bowl. Add the rice, 2 tablespoons of the celery leaves and 2 tablespoons of the hazelnuts. Toss and set aside.
• Put each chicken breast in a large plastic bag or between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound with a rolling pin until each piece is 1/4 inch thick. Lay the paillard skin side down, season with salt and pepper and spread with 3 tablespoons of the rice mixture. Cover with a thin sheet of prosciutto. Carefully roll the breast like a jellyroll. Tuck in the ends and tie with string in 4 or 5 places so that the breast will stay intact during poaching.
• Heat the tomato broth to a boil and skim. Slide the chicken rolls into the broth. Lower heat and cook gently for 10 minutes, turning frequently. Make sure that the chicken remains covered with liquid. Remove the chicken and set aside. Add the Port and continue cooking the tomato broth until it is thick and measures about 2 cups, about 5 minutes.
• Use a knife to remove the ties from the chicken. Carefully slice each breast into pieces 1 1/2 inches thick. Fan each in a circle on a plate. Ladle 1/2 cup of reduced tomato broth over each, sprinkle with the remaining celery leaves and hazelnuts and serve.

TOMATO CONSOMMé WITH LANCASHIRE CHEESE ON TOAST

Steps:

• Put the tomatoes for the consommé into a very large saucepan. Add the remaining consommé ingredients, except the herbs and leaves, then simmer on a low heat for 2 hrs.
• Line a large sieve with cheesecloth. Set it over a very large bowl, then carefully pour the liquid through. Leave to slowly drain but, to ensure the consommé stays clear, do not press tomatoes. Set aside. (The tomatoes can be puréed to make a sauce for pasta, then frozen for later use.)
• Put tomatoes for marinating into a small bowl. Squeeze over a little lemon juice, dust with the icing sugar and 2 pinches of salt, then pour over the 2 tsp oil. Marinate briefly while you prepare the cheese on toast.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Melt the 25g butter in a medium pan, add the flour, then stir for 2-3 mins over a low heat to cook the flour. Remove from heat, then gradually stir in milk. Return to the heat and stir briefly until thickened to a thick paste. Stir in the cheese, beating well until it has melted to a smooth paste. Take off the heat, beat in the egg yolk, then set aside. In a small pan, bring the ale, mustard and Worcestershire sauce to a boil, then bubble over a high heat for 8-10 mins until reduced to a thick consistency (you should have about 1 tbsp thick liquid). Stir this into the cheese mixture, cover and cool. Melt the 15g butter. Brush one side of each bread slice with the butter, lay them on a baking sheet, butter-side up, then season with salt. Bake for 10-12 mins until golden and crisp. (Both sauce and toasted bread can be prepared a day ahead. Chill sauce until required, keep toast wrapped in foil.)
• To serve, heat the grill. Spread the cheese mix thickly and evenly over each slice of toast (you will have some left over for another time), then lay them on a baking tray. Grill until golden. Meanwhile, gently heat the consommé. Place 3 marinated tomatoes in the bottom of each serving bowl. Scatter a few herbs on top of the tomatoes, then drizzle around a little olive oil. Pour in enough consommé to just cover the tomatoes, then scatter over a few more herbs and leaves. Serve with the hot cheese on toast on the side.

MOZZARELLA MARTINI WITH FRESH TOMATO CONSOMME

Steps:

• You will need enough tomato water to fill your martini glasses, so measure their capacity, probably something between 5 and 9 ounces. Chill the martini glasses in the freezer, if there is room, or refrigerate 1 hour ahead of serving. (A freezer gives a heavy frost.)
• Place 1 slice of green tomato in each glass. Halve or quarter the bocconcini if they are larger than 1 inch in diameter. Thread a bocconccini, and a cherry tomato onto each of 4 wooden skewers 4 to 5 inches long. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with basil oil, if desired. Working quickly, divide the tomato liquid among the chilled martini glasses. Balance the skewers on top of the glasses, then take a leaf of basil per glass, and rub it around the glass rim, before placing on top of each glass, near skewer. Serve immediately.
• *Cook's Note: It is impossible to give a specific amount for the tomatoes because how much "water" a tomato releases depends on many factors, including the growing season and the variety. Do not let the tomato pulp go to waste. Use this recipe as an excuse to start your quick tomato sauce season. You can freeze or can your sauce and then have it on hand for quick meals.
• Bring 2 large pots of water to a boil. Lower the tomatoes into the water, blanch for 45 seconds to 1 minute. Place blanched tomatoes on a baking sheet, and peel the loosened skins. With a colander over a bowl, squeeze the seeds and innards out of each tomato. Set aside and refrigerate the clear strained liquid for other uses. Slice the peeled tomatoes into 1-inch chunks, and place chunks into blender. Puree thoroughly. Pour into bowl.
• Yield: 10 to 12 cups

TOMATO CONSOMME

Steps:

• Place the tomatoes, mint, garlic, lemongrass, chopped scallion and jalapeno in a blender and pulse until still chunky but releasing liquid.
• Line a fine sieve with a double layer of cheesecloth over a large container. Pour the tomato mixture into the sieve and let drain for 2 to 3 hours, or refrigerate overnight.
• Season the strained liquid with salt and pepper. Pour into shooter glasses, garnish with the grape tomatoes and sliced scallions.