True-to-Form Vintage Tomato Consommé

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A clear, deeply flavorful tomato broth inspired by the linguistic distinction between 'true' and 'authentic,' made with no canned ingredients and precise simmering. This french-inspired soups ready in about 105 minutes pairs peeled and seeded ripe tomatoes, diced carrot, diced celery stalks for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 75 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 80 min Serves 6 French cuisine 75 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine 3 lbs peeled and seeded tomatoes, 1/2 cup diced carrots, 1/2 cup diced celery, 1/4 cup minced onion, 2 bay leaves, and 2 thyme sprigs in a large pot with 1 cup chicken stock.
  2. Step 2: Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, then cover and cook for 1 hour until flavors meld and vegetables are very soft.
  3. Step 3: Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pot, pressing with a spoon to extract all liquid while discarding solids.
  4. Step 4: Return strained liquid to medium heat and add 1/4 cup white wine. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes until reduced by 1/3 and flavors concentrate.
  5. Step 5: Season with 1/2 tsp salt and adjust to taste. Serve hot when the consommé is clear and has a rich tomato aroma without any visible pulp.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does True-to-Form Vintage Tomato Consommé take to make?

Total time is about 105 minutes (25 min prep + 80 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover True-to-Form Vintage Tomato Consommé?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep diced carrot from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in True-to-Form Vintage Tomato Consommé?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale True-to-Form Vintage Tomato Consommé for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with True-to-Form Vintage Tomato Consommé?

French soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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