As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, there’s nothing quite as comforting as a steaming bowl of soup. And this year, I’ve found a new favorite: slow cooker tomato and red pepper soup, inspired by the viral TikTok recipe of Poppy O’Toole, the beloved Potato Queen.
Poppy’s recipes are known for their simplicity and deliciousness, and this soup is no exception. It’s a flavor explosion that’s surprisingly easy to make, requiring minimal effort and yielding maximum deliciousness.
The secret to this soup’s rich, complex flavor lies in the slow cooker. By gently simmering the ingredients for hours, the flavors meld and deepen, resulting in a truly satisfying experience. It’s so good, in fact, that it even surpasses the legendary Heinz tomato soup.
Here’s what you’ll need to make this incredible slow cooker soup:
* 1kg tomatoes (use a variety of shapes and sizes for added flavor)
* One onion, sliced
* Two garlic cloves, grated or crushed
* 50ml balsamic vinegar (add more if you prefer a tangier flavor)
* Vegetable oil, for drizzling
* One jar of roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
* Three to four sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped (optional, but highly recommended)
* 200ml tomato passata
* One tablespoon tomato puree
* One chicken or vegetable stock cube, crumbled
* Small handful of basil, leaves picked
* 50g butter, cubed
* White sugar, to taste (optional, for balancing acidity)
* Salt and black pepper, to taste
Here’s how to make it:
1.
Roast the tomatoes:
Preheat your oven to 180°C. Place the tomatoes, onion, garlic, oil, balsamic vinegar, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a baking tray. Roast for about 30 minutes, or until the tomatoes start to blister.2.
Assemble the soup:
While the tomatoes are roasting, chop the roasted red peppers and sun-dried tomatoes. In your slow cooker, combine the roasted vegetables, chopped peppers, passata, tomato puree, stock cube, and 200ml of water. Add more water later if needed.3.
Optional additions:
For an extra kick, add a pinch of chili flakes. This is completely optional, but adds a delightful touch of spice.4.
Slow cook:
Close the slow cooker lid and set it to cook on high for three hours, or low for four hours. Check on the soup halfway through and add more water if needed.5.
Finish and serve:
After cooking, add the butter and basil to the soup and blend until smooth using a hand blender, immersion blender, or food processor. Allow the soup to cool slightly before blending.6.
Enjoy!
Serve your slow cooker tomato and red pepper soup with a toasted cheese sandwich, a crusty bread, or a dollop of sour cream for an extra luxurious touch.This soup is an absolute game-changer, perfect for those chilly evenings when you crave something warm and comforting. It’s so easy to make, incredibly flavorful, and far surpasses anything you could buy from a can. Give it a try and see for yourself why it’s become a viral sensation!
