Asian-Style Tomato Soup with Herbs

“Hot, herby, and has more kick than a kung-fu tomato.”

🍅 Ingredients (Serves 4)
• 1 tbsp sesame oil (or neutral oil with attitude)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated (or finely chopped, we’re not judging your knife skills)
• 1-2 red chilies, sliced (adjust depending on how brave you feel)
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp rice vinegar (or lime juice if you’re feeling zesty)
• 1 tsp sugar (to balance the sass)
• Salt to taste
Fresh Herbs (mix & match):
• Chopped cilantro
• Chopped green onion
• Thai basil or regular basil
• Optional: fresh mint (for the rebels)
Joke break:
Why did the tomato turn red?
Because it saw the soup getting spicy!

🔥 Instructions

Heat sesame oil in a pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and ginger. Cook until fragrant, which is fancy talk for “your kitchen’s about to smell amazing.”
Toss in the chilies and stir for 1 minute. This is the moment your soup becomes a little dangerous.
Add the crushed tomatoes, broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar.
Stir, then bring it to a simmer. Let it bubble gently for 15–20 minutes, giving all those flavors time to hug it out.
Taste and adjust: Need more heat? More soy sauce? More existential meaning? Do your thing.
Blend if you like it smooth, or leave it chunky like a 90s boy band sweater.
Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs and a drizzle of sesame oil or chili crisp for that chef’s kiss finish. 💋
Joke break:
What’s a chili pepper’s favorite movie genre?
Anything with a hot plot twist.

🍲 Serving Ideas
• Pair with crispy tofu or dumplings
• Serve with noodles for a slurpy situation
• Or sip it straight and pretend you’re in a street-side noodle shop in Bangkok

🥄 Final Sips of Wisdom
This soup’s got soul, spice, and a little sass. It’s what tomato soup wishes it could be when it grows up.
Final punchline:
What did the spoon say to the spicy soup?
“You’re too hot to handle, but I’m diving in anyway.”

Enjoy!