This tomato orange soup is a long time flavorful favorite in our family, and in Portland. Pair it with a crusty sourdough loaf or your favorite grilled cheese sandwich.
recipe originally published May 30, 2012
Tomato Orange Soup
Right in the middle of my spa career, I took a break to pursue another love – food. I was the store director with a popular European deli here in Portland - one of my favorite jobs to date. I started at one location in the heart of downtown (I love working downtown!), and while running that store I planned the build and opening of a new location in Lake Oswego.
While I thrive on the fun that goes into the execution of a new business and the grand opening events, my favorite aspect of this job was the food. At the new location, we built a bakery where we made fresh pastries, breads and bagels each morning.
I took a series of classes in Baking and Pastry in preparation, and while I could not have early morning hours all the time, I loved arriving at 4am to make muffins, bagels, bake off croissants proofing over night… it was bliss.
Having been a customer for many years, I was thrilled to be a part of the executive staff (although looking back now, I would have been just as happy running the bakery). This deli boasts an excellent reputation for having great food. Their menu has both permanent items and seasonal choices on rotation.
Legendary Portland Soup
The soups at this deli are legendary.
As soon as cold weather chill hits Portland, lines snake out their doors at lunch time – everyone wanting a warm up of the famous soup. One of their classic soups on the permanent menu is the Tomato Orange Soup.
At the time of the original publish date of this post, I have not found that the original deli recipe has been published. Even working there with access to recipes, I never saw the Tomato Orange.
My memory serves as inspiration, and this is my version of that deli classic.
Tomato Orange Soup is a longtime favorite. I hope you love it too.
We like to dip Cheesy Tomato Stuffed Waffles in this soup...
Did you make this tomato orange soup?
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Tomato Orange Soup
dairy, egg, soy, oil, and gluten free, vegan
Ingredients
- 1 small yellow onion, peeled and chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 12 fresh tomatoes, cored and chopped
- ⅓ cup raw cashews
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ cup orange juice concentrate
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 cup almond milk
- sea salt, to taste
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, sauté onion and garlic until translucent and softened.
- Transfer onion and garlic to high speed blender with tomatoes, cashews, tomato paste, orange juice concentrate and vegetable broth. Purée until smooth.
- In saucepan over medium heat, combine almond milk with blended tomato mixture. Stir occasionally while simmering over medium heat for several minutes to heat through.
- Garnish with sliced or cubed tomato, dried basil and oregano. Serve over rice or quinoa, with grilled cheese, crackers or stuffed waffles.
about Kristina:
Kristina is spabettie! She found cooking at an early age, and created spabettie in 2010 to share vegan recipes. Kristina turned her culinary training into sharing vibrant vegan food! Read more...
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Lynn says
this sounds unusual but good!
spabettie says
hi Lynn! it is a bit different, but very good!
Kath (My Funny Little Life) says
I loved to read a little more about your past, working experiences, and your passions! And this soup looks - just wow! *Absolutely* my kind of soup! 😀 😀 Already shared it on Facebook (tee-hee). I'll definitely make this! 😀
spabettie says
I know you will like this one, Kath! very comforting, too - make it soon! 🙂
Cara says
YOU TEASE! You just threw a waffle in my face and are making me wait??? Blarg. Well, until then, I am totally digging this soup combo, girl! I would have never thought to have used orange to flavor a soup. Genius!
dorry says
a beautiful soup! even though it's warming up here, I've been eating some delicious soups lately. at my new office, they have chefs who prepare us lunch and afternoon snack on a daily basis (feeling spoiled for sure!) and they make some delicious soups. lentil is one of my all-time favorites, and they've been adding some cold soups into the mix as well. love posts like this where we get to learn more about you and your life experiences! xo
Kristi Rimkus says
Fantastic combination of ingredients. I would never have thought to pair orange juice with a tomato soup!
spabettie says
hi Kristi - I remember the first time I heard of this too, different and unique and I couldn't wait to try it!
shawn @ I Wash...You Dry says
E-gats! Stuffed waffles? Such a tease! This soup looks tasty!
spabettie says
I know, sorry about that 😉 they're coming soon, you won't BELIEVE how easy they are. and how awesome. ha!
Richa@HobbyandMore says
love that gorgeous color of the soup.. those waffles have me intrigued!
spabettie says
this soup is always so bright - healthy looking, right?
Cara says
I knew exactly from where your inspiration came as soon as I saw the post title 🙂 I visited Portland last summer and did a culinary walking tour, and one of the stops was this deli! I guess the soup is that famous! We were given tastes of the soup without being told the "secret ingredient" and after rattling off every single other fruit I could think of, I guessed correctly 🙂 It truly is a great soup!
spabettie says
yes - I love that you know it and like it! fun deli, right? they have some amazing food. of course they are on the tour, was VooDoo Doughnuts also visited? 😀
Cara says
Not on the tour, but we made sure to go there on our own time 🙂
STUFT Mama says
Well, well, well, you are just amazing. Every time I visit your blog I'm drooling (like A LOT). 🙂 Love it. Waffle tease. 🙂
spabettie says
thank you, dear! I miss you so much! XXO
Sophie says
Stuffed waffles?! Cant wait for that...just need to get a waffle maker since mine broke haha
I nominated you for a food blogger award 🙂 (http://foodstoriesblog.com/food-stories-award/).
spabettie says
thank you so much, Sophie! everyone is enjoying this story today! 🙂