Apple Wood Smoked Tomato Soup With Basil

I have a hot smoke electric smoker that keeps things very moist. Excellent for turkey, fish and vegetables.

When I was smoking a turkey breast, I got the idea to smoke some tomatoes. They are wonderful this time of the year. I like slow roasting tomatoes too. But the smoker really adds a wonderful flavor you just can't get from an oven.

The tomatoes really need to be at their best for this. If they are not in season, I would use canned.
All you have to do is fire up a smoker or even a barbecue. Just slice the tomatoes in half and seed. Place the tomatoes on the smoker cut side down. I smoked mine for thirty minutes. Take them out of the smoker and then the skins will just peel off. Set aside for use.

I have add soy sauce to the soup. You would think this would compete with the flavors of the soup. But trust me it really adds a little umami flavor.

1 onion diced
1 carrot diced
1 celery stock diced
2 cloves of garlic minced
1 fresh bay leaf
fresh thyme leaves
fresh black pepper
1/4 cup of fresh basil
3 tablespoons of soy sauce
1 teaspoon of ground Aleppo pepper
3 tablespoons of olive oil
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups of chicken soup
3 cups of smoked tomatoes or 24 ounce can of fire roasted tomatoes

Saute the onions, carrots and celery in the olive oil. You want a little color on the vegetables. Now add the garlic and saute until lightly colored. Now add everything else except the cream. Cook the soup on medium heat for 15 minutes. Now remove the bay leaf and blend the soup in a blender. Place the blended mixture back into the pot and add the cream.