Tofu Tomato Soup

If you've never dipped a spring onion cheese toastie into a Tofu Tomato Soup before, then this is your sign to try it. It's absolutely delicious and really simple to make. The homemade tomato soup is topped with air fryer tofu bites that are crispy and delicious. Using soy sauce and sesame oil to flavour the soup, it's so tasty and perfect for a weeknight dinner on a cold day.

I adore roasted tomato soup. It's one of my favourite things to make in the autumn and winter months. However, I love to jazz things up a bit, so for this recipe, I've seasoned the soup with some Asian flavours including soy sauce, sesame oil, and chilli oil. I've also topped the soup with crispy tofu bites that are made in the air fryer and add a lovely crunch to the dish.

If you're looking for more soup recipes, then check out my roasted red pepper with gouda soup, it's so simple and delicious!

WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

Warm, hearty, and bursting with bold flavours, this tofu tomato soup with a spring onion cheese toastie is a delightful combination of textures and tastes. The roasted tomatoes, red onion, and garlic create a rich base, while the addition of fresh basil, soy sauce, sesame oil, and balsamic vinegar elevates the soup to a whole new level. Crispy air-fried tofu adds a satisfying crunch, and the gooey, cheesy indulgence of the spring onion toastie makes this meal truly comforting.

If you like this recipe, why not try out my Teriyaki Chicken Udon Noodle Soup recipe or my Spicy Beef Noodle Soup recipe!

INGREDIENTS FOR TOFU TOMATO SOUP

• Tomatoes: Tomatoes provide a rich, tangy base for the soup. They are packed with vitamins and antioxidants, enhancing the soup's nutritional value and adding a vibrant red color.
• Red Onion: Red onions offer a slightly sweeter and milder taste compared to white onions. They bring a lovely purple hue to your soup and provide essential nutrients.
• Garlic: Garlic adds a robust, aromatic flavour to the soup. It is known for its health benefits, including potential immune-boosting properties.
• Fresh Basil: Basil lends a fresh, aromatic note to the soup. Its sweet and peppery flavour enhances the overall taste, and it's a good source of vitamins and minerals.
• Red Chilli: Red chillies provide heat and depth to the soup. They contain capsaicin, which can boost metabolism and add a spicy kick to your dish.
• Light Soy Sauce: Light soy sauce contributes a salty and slightly sweet flavour, enhancing the umami taste of the soup. It's a staple in Asian cuisine and complements the other ingredients well. Make sure to not use dark soy sauce instead. Dark soy sauce is not only higher in sodium content, but it's thicker and darker, creating a more intense flavour.
• Sesame Oil: Sesame oil imparts a rich, nutty aroma to the soup. It's often used in Asian cooking to add depth of flavour and can elevate the taste of various dishes.
• Single Cream: Single cream adds a creamy texture to the soup, creating a luscious consistency. It provides a touch of indulgence to the dish. Feel free to use coconut milk instead for a dairy-free alternative.
• Chicken Stock: Chicken stock forms the soup's base, imparting a savoury essence. It adds depth and richness, enhancing the overall flavour profile. Although I've used chicken stock for this recipe, feel free to use vegetable stock or even beef stock.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Mozzarella cheese melts beautifully, creating a gooey, cheesy topping for your toastie. It adds a creamy texture and mild, milky flavour. I've used store-bought grated cheese but you could use non-grated mozzarella and just tear it apart.
• Cheddar Cheese: Cheddar cheese contributes a sharp and robust flavour to the toastie. Its meltability and rich taste make it a popular choice for various dishes.
• Spring Onion: Spring onions, also known as scallions, provide a mild onion flavour and a pop of color to your dish. They are low in calories and high in vitamins, making them a healthy addition.
• Bread: Bread serves as the base for your toastie. I've used a plain farm white loaf, but a sourdough or any other kind of bread would be perfect.
• Butter: Butter is used to fry your toastie, adding a rich, buttery taste and a golden, crispy texture to the bread. You can use olive oil if you'd like to choose a healthier alternative.
• Tofu: Tofu is a versatile and protein-rich ingredient. In this dish, it's cubed and air-fried to a golden, crispy perfection, providing a delightful contrast in texture.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Balsamic vinegar adds a subtle, sweet-tangy note to the soup. It enhances the overall flavour complexity and balances the savoury elements.

INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS

• Tomatoes:
  • Substitute with canned tomatoes: If fresh tomatoes aren't available, canned tomatoes can work well. Don't roast them if they're not fresh. Simply roast the other ingredients and then add the tomatoes into the saucepan with the roasted ingredients.
  • Use red pepper as a source of flavour and Vitamin C: The colour of the pepper and sweet flavour when roasted will give you a gorgeous soup flavour.
• Red Onion:
  • White or yellow onion: These have a milder flavour and can be a suitable replacement.
  • Shallots: Shallots have a subtle taste, adding a gourmet touch to your dish.
• Garlic:
  • Garlic powder: Use half a teaspoon of garlic powder as a substitute for one clove.
  • Garlic paste: A teaspoon of garlic paste equals one clove.
• Fresh Basil:
  • Dried basil: Use dried basil if fresh isn’t available. Remember, dried herbs are more concentrated, so use about a third of the quantity.
  • Parsley: While not the same flavour, parsley can bring a fresh herbaceous taste to your soup.
• Red Chilli:
  • Chilli flakes: Substitute with a pinch of chilli flakes for a subtle heat.
  • Bell pepper: For a non-spicy option, use finely chopped bell pepper for colour and crunch.
• Light Soy Sauce:
  • Tamari sauce: This gluten-free alternative has a similar flavour profile.
  • Coconut aminos: Another gluten-free alternative with a slightly sweeter taste.
  • Teriyaki sauce: This is also a good alternative to soy sauce. It has a lovely flavour and is perfect for soup seasonings.
• Sesame Oil:
  • Peanut oil: A good substitute due to its nutty flavour.
• Single Cream:
  • Half-and-half: This mixture of equal parts whole milk and light cream works well in recipes.
  • Coconut milk: For a dairy-free option, use coconut cream for richness.
• Chicken Stock:
  • Vegetable stock: An excellent vegetarian alternative.
  • Water with bouillon: Dissolve a bouillon cube or granules in water as a simple substitute.
• Mozzarella Cheese:
  • Provolone: A semi-hard Italian cheese with a mild taste.
  • Fontina: A creamy cheese that melts beautifully.
• Cheddar Cheese:
  • Red Leicester: A mild, buttery cheese that melts well.
  • Gouda: A slightly sweet and nutty cheese, great for melting.
• Spring Onion:
  • Chives: These have a milder flavour and can be used as a garnish.
  • Leeks: Sautéed leeks can provide a similar oniony flavour.
• Butter:
  • Olive oil: A healthier alternative, especially for frying the toastie.
• Tofu:
  • Tempeh: Made from fermented soybeans, it has a nutty flavour and firm texture.
  • Chickpeas: If you don't have tofu, feel free to roast or air fry some chickpeas to make them crispy. They'll add the perfect crunch to your soup.
• Balsamic Vinegar:
  • Red wine vinegar: Provides a tangy acidity.
  • Rice wine vinegar: A slightly sweeter option with a fruity note.

RECIPE VARIATIONS

Vegan Tofu Tomato Soup: For a vegan twist on this soup recipe, replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock and opt for plant-based single cream or coconut milk. Instead of butter for the toastie, use vegan margarine or olive oil. Swap out the cheese for a vegan alternative, such as vegan mozzarella and vegan cheddar. Add nutritional richness by sprinkling roasted pumpkin seeds or crushed nuts on top of the soup. This vegan version maintains the heartiness and depth of flavour while embracing plant-based ingredients.

Gluten-Free Tofu Tomato Soup: To cater to a gluten-free diet, ensure the soy sauce used in the soup and the bread for the toastie are gluten-free certified. Gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos can be excellent substitutes for traditional soy sauce, providing the same depth of flavour. For the toastie, choose gluten-free bread, and make sure all seasonings and stock cubes are gluten-free. Garnish the soup with a sprinkle of gluten-free croutons or crispy tofu for added texture without compromising on taste.

Meaty Tofu Tomato Soup: Introduce a meaty element to your tofu tomato soup by incorporating cooked and seasoned mince meat of your choice, such as chicken, turkey, or even pork sausage crumbles. Sauté the meat a the pan before adding the tomato base, allowing the flavours to meld. For an extra layer of umami, consider adding diced bacon or pancetta, cooked until crispy. The savory meatiness pairs harmoniously with the tangy tomatoes and adds a hearty, comforting dimension to the soup. Top the soup with a sprinkle of freshly cooked and seasoned meat for a protein-packed variation.

HOW TO MAKE TOFU TOMATO SOUP WITH A SCALLION CHEESE TOASTE: STEP BY STEP

STEP 1: ROAST YOUR VEGGIES

• Place your tomatoes, red onion, and garlic in an air fryer container and drizzle with oil and sprinkle with pepper. Roast for 20 minutes at 180C.
• Check after 10 minutes and rotate the ingredients to ensure they don’t burn.
• Remove from the air fryer and place into a large saucepan (don’t wash up your air fryer container just yet).

STEP 2: MAKE YOUR SOUP

• To the saucepan, add in a handful of fresh basil, your chilli, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, balsamic vinegar, single cream, pinch of salt, and chicken stock.
• Blend your mixture until smooth. Season to taste.
• Place it on low heat and leave to simmer. 

STEP 3: AIR FRY YOUR TOFU

• While simmering, place your tofu cubes back into your air fryer container and top with some olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Air fry at 180C for 15 minutes or until golden and crispy. 

STEP 4: MAKE YOUR CHEESE TOASTIE

• Meanwhile, slice your bread and sandwich the bread with cheddar cheese, mozzarella, and spring onion.  
• Place a frying pan on medium heat and add in a tablespoon of butter. Once sizzling, add in your spring onion toastie and reduce the heat to low. Flip your toastie over after a few minutes or when golden and crispy. Fry for another few minutes until golden and then remove. 

STEP 5: SERVE UP

• Serve up your simmering soup with your tofu pieces, cheese toastie, and some optional chilli oil to drizzle all over. 

TOFU TOMATO SOUP LEFTOVERS

Tofu tomato soup is a dish that often tastes even better the next day. Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, gently warm it over low heat to preserve the flavours and avoid boiling. The tofu might absorb some of the liquid, so add a splash of vegetable or chicken stock to adjust the consistency. Enjoy it reheated as a quick, nourishing meal, paired with a fresh side salad or crusty bread for a complete dining experience.

RECIPE FAQS

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