CREAMY TOMATO SOUP WITH PROSCIUTTO AND CROUTONS

The secret to this smooth and silky soup is the white sauce you add to your roasted tomato puree. It takes a bit of stirring but the results are worth it.

Preparation time 15 mins Cooking time 1 hour Serves 4

1.5kg ripe tomatoes, halved 1 bulb garlic, halved Ž/’ cup olive oil, plus extra 2 Tbsp Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season 100g thinly sliced prosciu¢o, very finely chopped 2 cups cubed fresh bread 2 stalks celery, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped 3 cups vegetable or chicken stock Basil leaves, to serve

WHITE SAUCE 20g unsalted bu¢er 1 Tbsp plain flour 1 cup milk

STEP 1 Preheat oven to 180°C fan-forced (200°C conventional). Line 2 oven trays with baking paper.

STEP 2 Arrange tomato halves, cut-side up, plus garlic on prepared trays. Drizzle with half of the oil, then season. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until collapsing. Cool slightly.

STEP 3 Arrange prosciu o and bread cubes on 2 separate oven trays, drizzle bread cubes with extra oil. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until croutons are golden and prosciu o is crisp. Set aside.

STEP 4 Meanwhile, in a large heavy-based saucepan, heat remaining oil over medium heat. Cook celery and onion for 4-5 minutes, until onion is tender.

STEP 5 Remove and discard tomato and garlic skins. Stir tomato, garlic and stock into saucepan. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes. Cool slightly. Using a hand blender, puree mixture until smooth.

STEP 6 Meanwhile, for the white sauce, in a large saucepan, melt bu er over medium heat. Add flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Gradually stir in milk, until smooth. Return to heat. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens.

STEP 7 Gradually add tomato puree to white sauce, stirring constantly until smooth. Bring to the boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 1-2 minutes. Season. Top with basil, crispy prosciu o, croutons, a drizzle of oil and plenty of black pepper to serve.

STOREBOUGHT JUST CAN’T COMPETE WITH TOMATO SOUP MADE FROM SCRATCH OR DIY CRUNCHY CROUTONS