There are a lot of things I miss about living in Texas. Fabulous grocery stores, great friends and, of course, Tex Mex all number at the top of the list. Despite the fact that Tex Mex is certainly one of my favorite flavor memories from living in the southwest, it isn’t the only food memory I left. Dream Cafe’s Ricotta Pancakes and Austin tacos are sorely missed. I find myself craving Mi Cocina’s killer margaritas and chicken fajitas on a weekly basis and La Madeleine’s Country French Cafe tomato basil soup is always at the back of mind. Yes they’re a chain, but that doesn’t stop their soup from being some of the best I’ve ever eaten. It’s really good.
When I first had the opportunity to sit down and try this soup, I knew I needed to learn how to replicate it. I set out to find the recipe online and discovered a version that has served me well to this day. I’ve been making it for about 5 years now and while I can’t take credit for the recipe, I can certainly take credit for enjoying every last bite of this delicious soup and in the process of doing so, preserve a few of my precious Texas memories of days gone by.
Ingredients Needed:
Adapted from La Madeleine’s Recipe
2 28 Oz Cans of Tomatoes
1 Large Bunch of Fresh Basil
4 Cups of Tomato Juice, Veggie or Chicken Broth
1 Cup of Cream (I use about 1/2 cup)
1 Stick of Butter (I use 1/2 Stick)
Salt and Pepper to Taste
Add together in a large pot your tomatoes and juice/broth. Let it cook on medium low heat covered for about 30 minutes.
I tend to turn the heat up a hair and cook it for a shorter period because I have no patience to wait.
When your soup is good and hot, go ahead and throw in your basil leaves. You can chop them up first or just be lazy like me and let your emulsifier do all the work.
If you don’t have an emulsifier, you’ll need to put the soup into a blender in batches and mulch up the basil.
Finally you’ll add in your butter and cream and let it melt down and heat back up.
Now all that’s left to do is grab a bowl and pour yourself a little bowl of your own Texas memories.
Tomato Basil Soup - La Madaleine Style
Adapted from La Madeleine's Recipe
Ingredients:
2 28 Oz Cans of Tomatoes
1 Large Bunch of Fresh Basil
4 Cups of Tomato Juice, Veggie or Chicken Broth
1 Cup of Cream (I use about 1/2 cup)
1 Stick of Butter (I use 1/2 Stick)
Salt and Pepper to Taste
Directions:
Add together in a large pot your tomatoes and juice/broth. Let it cook on medium low heat covered for about 30 minutes.
When your soup is good and hot, go ahead and throw in your basil leaves.
Grab your emulsifier and blend up your soup. If you don't have an emulsifier, you'll need to put the soup into a blender in batches and mulch up the basil.
Finally you'll add in your butter and cream and let it melt down and heat back up.
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Wow this tomato soup sounds really good and very rich! I’m going to try it using reduced-fat milk and butter! Thanks for sharing…
Yummy! I do not normally like tomato soup, but something tells me, I would love yours! It is the perfect compliment to a cool fall evening.
You really do have great recipes Julie.
What I love about this one is that I can make and enjoy it in the cold winter;
another keeper for me; thanks.
Rita
My family LOVES La Madeleine breakfast. It’s one of our eats when we are in Dallas. Sister #2 loves their jam, which I must say is pretty tasty!
Beautiful photos Julie. This is my kids favourite soup by far. I make it in huge batches and store it in Mason Jars in the fridge and freezer so I always have some on hand. It’s great to give to a friend feeling under the weather too ;o)
Psst! I’d love love if you had a tab or link to all your recipes. I often drop by your site when looking for something to make & would love to see a quick reference 🙂
I can undrstand from this soup why you miss Texas so much. If what you were eating there was half as good as this soup then you have every right to contemplate on that.
i am from Dallas and have to agree with all 3 items on your “miss list”! I go to MiCocina at least once a week! haha- this looks delicious!
that looks good!!!
anne
Tomato soup – yummy. Your photos are so appealing, I want to go to the kitchen and make the soup, immediately.
This looks fabulous, Julie. My husband is a huge tomato soup fan–I have to give this a try.
It’s got butter and cream. What’s not to like? Seriously want this with a grilled cheese sandwich.
oh wow..this soup looks divine! i have this recipe bookmarked. thank you for sharing.
I’ve never been to Texas and I’ve certainly never had soup with butter in it (I think?) but now I feel like I need to take a trip and have some soup! My gosh this looks amazing!! Your photography skills just never cease to amaze me.
Oh my gosh, yum! I make tomato soup all the time, but not like this. I’m putting it on the menu for next week. Thanks.
Nice, nice 🙂 The basil keeps such a crisp clean flavour while the little dollop of butter adds such richness. Lovely.
Beautiful photo! I love tomato basil soup but I have never made my own. This looks so delish!
I love to replicate restaurant favorites at home, but then there’s absolutely no reason to go out anymore. Thank goodness for Japanese Steak Houses. I can’t do that at home!
I love tomato soup and that recipe not only looks delicious but also easy! I bet that it would go great with a fancy shmancy grilled cheese sandwich.
Growing up in Houston, we went to La Madeleine all the time. Since we’ve moved back to Texas, I’ve yet to visit. Now I don’t need to…I can make your lovely soup and satisfy my craving! Thank you so much for sharing this…I have a fresh loaf of bread that would be perfect with this!
With the nasty weather outside, I sure don’t mind staying in with a bowl of this delicious soup. Would be great with some nice, warm rolls.
This is just yum! @Dalefg loves tomato soup and the herb basil. It’s 12:39am {yeah,what am I doing up, right?} and just the sight of this is making me want soup now. I’m a big fan of soup! You’re such a great cook. Wish I can be like you =)
I am so ready for some good soup and this fits perfectly with what I had in mind!
I think it’s time for some soup! Looks so good! Great clicks.
While the recipe does sound quite tasty, what I’m really loving here is that cute little green bowl! Mind if I ask for more info on it?
I LOVE tomato basil soup! Yours looks fantastic! ***mouth is watering!***
A delicious looking tomato basil soup – this is a terrific recipe!
Just divine…I’d love a bowl of that for lunch!
You had me at butter. LOL! This soup looks delicious! Pair that with a BLT on sourdough and I’m there!
Yummy combination–tomatoes, basil and cream looks delicious! What a gorgeous color!
This looks yummy! My kids always seem to like the more straight liquid soups vs. the chunky veggies. I’m betting they would love this! Thanks!
Stopping by from SITS
Wow! This reminds me of Vodka Sauce for pasta–sounds delicious. I know my parents pined for tex-mex food when they moved from El Paso to Canada when I was a baby. My mother made her own tortillas, and did her best to recreate the food, in spite of there being nowhere to buy Mexican groceries!
Lovely, delicious, fantastic looking soup. Makes me wanna go make it at 03:30 am.
I love how simple this recipe is, made from ingredients that can be found in a pantry. I love tomato soups. Happy Halloween, Julie.
Made this soup last night for my family and it was absolutely delicious! So easy and so tasty. Thanks for sharing!!
I’ve only been once to Texas but I’d love a bowl of soup.
looks great love all the fresh basil in there 🙂 thanks for the kind words on the talk
I’m totally with you on the Texmex. Some people knock it, but they’ve obviously never experienced Texan innovation at it’s best!
GOOD tomato soup is such a treat! This looks simply perfect!