Peruvian Tomato Soup

This fresh and creamy Peruvian Tomato Soup is light enough to enjoy as a starter course even in summer. This tomato bisque – at once familiar and exotic – will have you licking your bowl and asking for more, and it’s vegetarian, gluten free, and tastes great leftover!

Peruvian tomato soup in ceramic bowls with cilantro and a chunk of cotija.

Few romances can ever surpass that of the granite citadel on top of the beetling precipices of Machu Picchu, the crown of Inca Land.

~~ Hiram Bingham

👩🏻‍🍳 Tamara Talks – About This Peruvian Soup

Is it too hot for soup in the northern hemisphere in summer? I admit reluctance to prepare and serve soup during the warmer months (year ’round in McAllen  😯 )…

A month in Peru had me re-considering. Nearly every meal began with a soup – quinoa, corn, criolla, potato and mushroom – to name a few. I looked forward to the soups at lunch and dinner each day.

Must soup be reserved for chilly winter days? A simple creamy tomato soup was easily one of my favorite dishes of our entire trip, and this Peruvian soup recipe is a great way to use summer’s bounty of fresh tomatoes.

Some Rabbit Chasing…

At the risk of “chasing rabbits,” let me tell you about the inspiration for this tomato soup. On June 9, we struck out on foot from Hidroelectrica up the Urubamba River. Hidroelectrica is the last stop for vehicular traffic to Machu Picchu. Aguas Caliente is served by rail, and a shuttle bus is available to the park entrance. We spent the night at the rustic GEA Lodge at the Los Jardines de Mandor. Yes, it’s rustic. And charming. And it has Mamá Angélica’s. She makes amazing food in a small rustic kitchen, and supplies come in on foot. I’d say that defines “middle of nowhere!”

Our adventuresome group of academics, students, and guides gave her the go-ahead to create a menu, and it did not disappoint! The creamy tomato soup had crisp-tender English peas, and was garnished with fresh Peruvian cheese (AMAZING!) and crispy potatoes. The soup was followed by a banana and yuca fritter stuffed with ground meat, raisins, and peas. Yes, the main dish will probably make a blog appearance as well, but first things first.  😉

Creamy Tomato Bisque Peruvian-Style in a white bowl.

Of course we didn’t just eat in Mandor! We enjoyed an afternoon in Los Jardines de Mandor. Our group biologist (my husband Mark) did some “biologizing,” pointing out many unique species of plants and identifying some beautiful birds along the way. The falls at the end of the trail were lovely, and a few brave students actually dipped below the surface of the freezing cold water.

A photo of Mandor Falls in Peru.

The next morning, Mamá Angélica packed healthy box lunches, and we began our trek to Machu Picchu. The excitement was palpable. We hiked about 5 miles along the train tracks and the beautiful Urubamba River. After crossing the river near Aguas Caliente, we arrived at THE STEPS.

At the time, they felt like the steps of death. 1500-2000 of them. Straight up. With nearly 100% humidity and temperatures in the sixties, we struggled to put one foot in front of the other for about 1 1/2 hours. It was somewhat comical to hear bus-riding tourists complain of the exertion once entering the park. Lol. Trekkers go on foot, not in an air-conditioned bus.

Machu Picchu has been in the #1 spot on my “bucket list” for at least a decade. Just ask my kids. The joy and elation felt at the first glimpse of the magnificent ruins is really indescribable. Though at times it felt like “Disneyland in the Andes,” it was a heady experience. Or was it the altitude and exhaustion?  😯 Joking aside… Machu Picchu has to be experienced. Photos do not do it justice. It truly is a magical place!

A photo of Machu Picchu in Peru.

The trip back down the mountain to the canyon floor and Agua Caliente of course went more quickly than the ascent. We were quite ready for a hot shower and a pisco sour when we arrived at Hotel Wiracocha Inn a couple of hours later! Wow. Just. Wow.

🍅 Peruvian Tomato Bisque

One can only guess at methods and ingredients when re-creating a dish. Years experience with roasting vegetables has convinced me that it’s by far the best method for extracting flavor from vegetables. Boiling and steaming just don’t cut it. So, the extra step is critical in developing the rich flavor of this soup.

What makes it Peruvian-style? I add a bit of Aji Amarillo Paste to the cooking liquid. Ají amarillo is a bright yellow, spicy chile that is a staple in Peruvian cooking. If you’re not familiar with the chile, you may wish to add half the specified amount, and taste before adding more. I’m a New Mexico girl, and I don’t find the aji amarillo to be terribly hot (not like the rocoto!).

📋 Ingredients Notes

Here is a quick look at the ingredients in the recipe – it’s handy to use at the grocery store or as a summary of what you need. Skip to the recipe for quantities.

  • ripe tomatoes – I like roma tomatoes for this recipe.
  • potatoes – I usually use yukon gold potatoes.
  • carrots
  • sweet onion
  • a whole of garlic
  • olive oil
  • sea salt
  • dry sherry
  • broth/stock – Use a good quality broth or stock. Of course if you follow a plant-based diet, choose a vegan stock.
  • ají amarillo paste – Many groceries stores and most Latin markets carry Peruvian ají pepper pastes. You can also order ají amarillo paste on Amazon.
  • fresh or frozen English peas
  • half n half or coconut creamer – I LOVE coconut creamer. I have a bit of dairy sensitivity, and I find it provides the creamy richness I’m looking for, and it’s vegan!

Garnishes

  • cheese – I use queso fresco or aged cotija because I live on the border in McAllen, Texas, and it’s widely available. Feta is a pretty good substitute. Obviously, omit for vegan bisque.e.
  • cilantro or flat leaf parsley, chopped
  • potato

🔪 Instructions

  1. Prepare vegetables – Preheat oven to 425° (400° convection roast). Arrange vegetables and garlic on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with sea salt. Roast until edges begin to caramelize. They don’t have to be completely cooked.
  2. Make the tomato bisque base – Add caramelized vegetables to a dutch oven. Pop the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins, and add to the vegetables. Add the dry sherry and 3 cups broth/stock, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer 10-15 minutes while you prep the garnishes. Vegetables should be very tender.
  3. Purée the soup – Using an immersion blender, puree until very smooth. I like to pour the puree through a strainer as it results in a very silky soup. This step is optional!
  4. Finish the soup – Add the purée back to the pot over medium heat. Add the peas and half n half, and cook about 5 minutes until everything is hot. DO NOT BOIL.
  5. Serve – Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish as desired. Enjoy!
A close up of the Peruvian tomato soup in a red ceramic bowl with a spoon.

❓ FAQ

What is “ají amarillo?”

Ají amarillo is often referred to as a “hot” chile, but I find it to be fairly mild with a sweet, earthy flavor. If you’re uncertain, start with half, and add if desired. There really isn’t a good substitute.

How do I make the potato garnish?

You can fry the potato garnish however you wish. I used a small purple potato, and cut it in thin, lengthwise wedges. I then cook the slices in my air fryer. It looks pretty 😉

💭 Tips

If you want to learn more about Peruvian ají peppers, see About Peruvian Ají Peppers for more information.

Usefool tool – An immersion blender is an important kitchen tool if you like to purée soups. I cringe when I read soup recipes that suggest pouring boiling hot liquid into a blender! Please don’t! The “boat motor” (as we refer to ours) takes the mess and the risk of burns out of the process. After blending thoroughly, I prefer to pour the soup through a strainer. This results in an amazingly silky soup. You can omit this step if you prefer.

Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. This helps to offset the costs of maintaining my blog and creating awesome content! 😊

Finishing the soup requires the addition of the peas and creamer or half n half, and a bit of prep for the garnishes. Serve as a light lunch or a starter course, and add Peru to your own “bucket list?”

Signature in red and green with chiles and limes. Healthyish Latin cuisine.

Creamy Peruvian Tomato Soup in a red stoneware bowl garnished with potatoes and cheese.

Peruvian Tomato Soup

A fresh and creamy soup light enough to enjoy as a starter course even in summer… Creamy Tomato Bisque Peruvian-Style – at once familiar and exotic – will have you licking your bowl and asking for more!
5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Soups and Stews
Cuisine Peruvian
Servings 6 servings
Calories 263 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2.25 pounds ripe tomatoes - (about 10 romas), halved lengthwise
  • 2 yukon gold potatoes - peeled and quartered
  • 2 carrots - peeled and halved lengthwise
  • 1 sweet onion - peeled and quartered
  • 1 bulb garlic - sliced horizontally
  • olive oil
  • sea salt
  • ½ cup dry sherry
  • 3-4 cups broth/stock - (see notes)
  • 1 tablespoon aji amarillo paste - (see notes)
  • 2 cups fresh or frozen English peas
  • 1 cup half n half - (coconut creamer for dairy-free)

Garnishes

  • queso fresco - shaved, grated or crumbled
  • cilantro or flat leaf parsley - chopped
  • potato - fried crispy (see notes)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425°. Arrange vegetables and garlic on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with sea salt. Roast until edges begin to caramelize. They don't have to be completely cooked.
  • Add caramelized vegetables to a Dutch oven. Pop the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins, and add to the vegetables. Add the dry sherry and 3 cups broth/stock, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer 10-15 minutes while you prep the garnishes. Vegetables should be very tender.
  • Using an immersion blender, puree until very smooth. I like to pour the puree through a strainer as it results in a very silky soup. This step is optional!
  • Add the puree back to the pot over medium heat. Add the peas and half n half, and cook about 5 minutes until everything is hot. DO NOT BOIL.
  • Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish as desired. Enjoy!

Notes

Use good quality broth/stock of your preference. Obviously, use vegetable stock if you want a vegetarian soup. I use both homemade and good commercially prepared stock in this recipe.
Macronutrients are an approximation only. I entered Trader Joe’s Coconut Creamer (not half n half) and did not include garnishes.

Nutrition

Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 3g

NOTE: Macronutrients are an approximation only using unbranded ingredients and MyFitnessPal.com. Please do your own research with the products you’re using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment and/or star rating! Email us with any questions: tamara@beyondmeresustenance.com

🥘 More Peruvian Soup Recipes

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