Step into The Herbal Kitchen Anthology: Roasted Tomato Soup
- Apr 22
- 5 min read
Updated: May 10
Herbs and spices do more than flavour our food they support digestion and overall well-being.
Bitters like cocoa, coriander, lemon, and lemongrass help signal the stomach to produce digestive acids, while warming spices like cayenne and black pepper gently stoke digestive fire and circulation.
Each herb brings its own character and purpose to the table and in this series, I’ll be sharing simple, nourishing recipes that show you just how much these everyday ingredients can do.
This week we will be revamping a classic with a surprise protein boost!
In this article you will learn:
Folklore - Tomatoes
Part of the nightshade family, tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are native to South America and carry a rich history steeped in folklore. In many parts of the world the fear of tomatoes has persisted for 600 years⁽¹⁾.
Brought to Europe from South America around 1540, tomatoes arrived at a time when the witch craze was in full swing. Their close connection to the nightshade family quickly cast a shadow over their reputation. Witch hunters, ever eager to root out signs of sorcery, took a keen interest in the so-called flying ointments said to be smeared on broomsticks—potent salves believed to help witches commune with the devil or even transform into werewolves. Upon inspection, these ointments were found to contain henbane, mandrake, hemlock, and deadly nightshade—all toxic plants and close relatives of the tomato. To the untrained eye, their leaves and growth patterns were nearly indistinguishable, further cementing the tomato’s link to the dark arts⁽¹⁾.
Unlike the red tomatoes we see today, early varieties were yellow and in 1569 were called pomi d’oro, or "apples of gold." Their golden colour, along with their mysterious botanical lineage, led many to believe they were used in love spells and considered a forbidden fruit, thought to unleash uncontrollable lust in those who consumed them⁽¹'²⁾.
Dubbed "poisonous apples" in 18th-century Europe, tomatoes were widely feared after wealthy aristocrats began dying shortly after eating them. At first, the cause was thought to be lead poisoning from pewter plates, which leached lead when in contact with acidic foods like tomatoes. However, another theory points to belladonna, a close relative in the nightshade family and a known poison. Grown in a similar fashion to tomatoes, it’s possible that belladonna was mistakenly harvested and consumed instead, leading to the mysterious deaths⁽³⁾.
Nutrition in Tomato Soup
More than just a comforting classic, tomato soup is packed with surprising health benefits that nourish your body, boost your immune system, and support overall well-being.
Tomatoes ⁽⁴'⁵'⁶⁾
Rich in lycopene and beta-carotene
Excellent source of Vitamin C, Vitamin K, potassium, and folate
High in dietary fiber
Contain anti-inflammatory properties
May lower LDL cholesterol and reduce the risk of blood clots
May help prevent stomach, lung, and prostate cancers
Garlic⁽⁷⁾
Possesses antibacterial, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties
Improves circulation
Lowers LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing HDL cholesterol
May help reverse arteriosclerosis
Stimulates the immune system
Supports both respiratory and digestive health
Basil⁽⁸⁾
Good source of Vitamin K, manganese, and copper
Offers antioxidant and antibacterial properties
Aids and supports the digestive system
Thyme⁽⁹⁾
Contains anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties
Stimulates immune function
Supports both digestive and respiratory systems
Cottage Cheese⁽¹⁰⁾
High in protein and low in fat
Great source of selenium, folate, potassium, Vitamin B2, and calcium
Supports bone health and muscle development
May help lower the risk of insulin resistance
Onion⁽¹¹⁾
May reduce the risk of colorectal, stomach, ovarian, breast, brain, lung, and bladder cancers
Packed with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant compounds
Supports digestive health
Provides Vitamin C and manganese, with smaller amounts of calcium, folate, iron, potassium, and Vitamin B6
Recipe
Step 1: Gather Ingredients
In cooking school, I was taught that it’s easier to make recipes when we gather and pre-measure our ingredients. This concept is called mise en place, which means “everything in its place.” Not only does it make cooking easier, but it also makes it faster and helps you confirm that you have everything you need before you start. Nothing is worse than beginning a recipe only to realize you’re missing an ingredient or don’t have enough of it!
Step 2: Prepare the ingredients
Once everything is gathered and pre-measured, I preheat the oven, wash everything, and then proceed to cut and chop all the ingredients. In this case, I halved the tomatoes and removed the stems, cut the garlic head in half, and chopped the onion.
Step 3: Putting everything together and enjoying
Once everything is cut, I place all the vegetables in a roasting pan and drizzle oil over them. I then flip the garlic head so it’s facing down and roast everything for 45 minutes, until the vegetables are soft and caramelized. After removing the pan from the oven, I place the rest of the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. My soup was still nice and hot, but if you prefer, you can transfer it to a pot and reheat. Ladle the soup into bowls, and if desired, garnish with a small drizzle of olive oil and red pepper flakes. Enjoy!
Conclusion
This roasted tomato soup is velvety and smooth, giving the classic tomato soup a delicious revamp. Perfect for busy individuals, this easy-to-make recipe only requires a roasting pan and a blender. You’ll love how simple and flavourful it is!
References:
1. Stott R. When tomatoes were blamed for witchcraft and werewolves [Internet]. Atlas Obscura; 2017 [cited 2025 Apr 22]. Available from: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/when-tomatoes-were-blamed-for-witchcraft-and-werewolves
2. Emily. Folklore Thursday: Tomato Magic [Internet]. 2016 [cited 2025 Apr 22]. Available from:https://groweatgift.com/2016/09/08/tomato-magic/
3. K. Annabelle Smith KR. How the misrepresentation of tomatoes as stinking “poison apples” that provoked vomiting made people afraid of them for more than 200 years [Internet]. Smithsonian Institution; [cited 2025 Apr 22]. Available from: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-the-misrepresentation-of-tomatoes-as-stinking-poison-apples-that-provoked-vomiting-made-people-afraid-of-them-for-more-than-200-years-863735/#:~:text=By%20the%201700s%2C%20many%20Europeans,were%20high%20in%20lead%20content.
4. Palozza P, Catalano A, Simone RE, Mele MC, Cittadini A. Effect of lycopene and tomato products on cholesterol metabolism. [Internet]. U.S. National Library of Medicine; [cited 2025 Apr 22]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22965217/
5. Palomo I, Fuentes E, Padró T, Badimon L. Platelets and atherogenesis: Platelet anti-aggregation activity and endothelial protection from tomatoes (solanum lycopersicum L.) [Internet]. U.S. National Library of Medicine; [cited 2025 Apr 22]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22969932/
6. Bjarnadottir A. Tomatoes 101: Nutrition facts and health benefits [Internet]. Healthline Media; 2023 [cited 2025 Apr 22]. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/tomatoes#ripening
7. Garlic [Internet]. Herbal Academy - The Herbarium [cited 2025 Apr 22]. Available from: https://herbarium.theherbalacademy.com/monograph/garlic/
8. Chitale A. Basil . In: Holistic Nutrition Program . 2nd ed. Pacific Rim College Press; 2022. p. 314–5.
9. Thyme [Internet]. Herbal Academy - The Herbarium [cited 2025 Apr 22]. Available from: https://herbarium.theherbalacademy.com/monograph/thyme/
10. Cleveland Clinic. 7 reasons why cottage cheese is good for you [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic; 2025 [cited 2025 Apr 22]. Available from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/cottage-cheese-benefits
11. Cleveland Clinic. Are onions good for you? [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic; 2025 [cited 2025 Apr 22]. Available from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/are-onions-good-for-you
