Robin's Random Recipes

From Cook's Illustrated

INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil , plus more for drizzling
1 medium onion , chopped medium (about 1 cup)
3 medium garlic cloves , minced or pressed through garlic press (about 1 tablespoon)
Pinch hot red pepper flakes (optional)
1 bay leaf
2 (28-ounce) cans whole tomatoes packed in juice
1 tablespoon brown sugar
3 large slices good-quality sandwich bread , crusts removed, torn into 1-inch pieces
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons brandy (optional)
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onion, garlic, red pepper flakes (if using), and bay leaf. Cook, stirring frequently, until onion is translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and their juice. Using potato masher, mash until no pieces bigger than 2 inches remain. Stir in sugar and bread; bring soup to boil. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until bread is completely saturated and starts to break down, about 5 minutes. Remove and discard bay leaf.

2. Transfer half of soup to blender. Add 1 tablespoon oil and process until soup is smooth and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to large bowl and repeat with remaining soup and oil. Rinse out Dutch oven and return soup to pot. Stir in chicken broth and brandy (if using). Return soup to boil and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve soup in individual bowls. Sprinkle each portion with pepper and chives and drizzle with olive oil.

From an old usenet post.

4 bacon slices, cut into 1/4 inch pieces
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 tbs unsalted butter
2 tsp ground cumin
3 tbs all-purpose flour
4 cups chicken broth
1 lg boiling potato, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice
1/2 cup heavy cream
10-oz package frozen corn kernals
1/2 lb sharp Cheddar, grated

Cook bacon in 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring, until
crisp and transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.

Add onion and butter to fat in pan and cook, stirring, until onion is
softened. Add cumin and cook, stirring, one minute. Add flour and cook,
stirring, 1 minute. Whisk in broth and bring to a boil, whisking
occaisionally. Add potato and simmer, covered, stirring occaisionally,
until just tender, 8 minutes. Stir in cream and corn and return to a
simmer. Add Cheddar, stirring just until cheese is melted (do not let
boil), and season generously with pepper.

Serve topped with bacon.

(Soup keeps 2 days, covered and chilled).

This is especially good in bread bowls. I make a batch of daily bread and form two round loaves.