We’re now midway through August, and that can only mean one thing: autumn is right around the corner! While fall doesn’t provide much relief from the heat here in southern California, we still love participating in the most romantic season of the year!
For us, fall means spooky movies, cute sweaters, and, best of all, making our favorite soups! There is nothing quite like enjoying the newly frigid breeze roll in while cozy and warm at home slurping up a hot, homemade broth.
While everyone has their preferences, my own fall favorite soups have always been squash, french bisque, and, best of all, a hearty tomato soup. Growing up, my mother would always make sure we had some hot Campbell’s waiting for us after getting home from school, but thankfully we’ve branched off into making our own as we’ve transitioned into adulthood.
My recipe wasn’t always the nectar of the gods it is today, however! Over the years, I’ve tried dozens of recipes, including a few of my own, to find that one special mixture that makes a perfect tomato soup.
Some have incorporated cream, others butter, and I’ve even tried some recipes that called for milk alternatives like oat and almond milk! The extra dairy certainly added some heartiness, but it wasn’t the magic key to elevate it to something truly special. As for the vegan options…while I certainly respect the lifestyle, let’s say the flavor was NOT for me!
So, you may ask, what ended up being the magic ingredient that turned my tasty but humble broth to zesty, soupy perfection? Well…let’s keep it between you and me, but it turned out to be olive oil!
We’ve heard a lot about olive oil over the past few years as something of a miracle cure-all for health and beauty. What I didn’t realize is that it also works wonders for influencing the flavor of a vegetable-based broth!
The magic truly shows itself when you get the really good stuff – certified organic Italian olive oil. Organic, cold-pressed olive oil from one of Italy’s small grove farms has a naturally nutty, peppery flavor that pairs wonderfully with the acidity of the tomato base.
Of course, actually getting your hand on verified organic Italian-sourced olive oil is no easy feat here in the states. Much of what you see on the shelves is industrially produced oil that has been mixed with quite a few additives that destroy the flavor and reduce its health benefits.
That’s why you need to buy direct from the source! Here in Orange County, I always rave about Shayna’s Kitchen, a company started by OC local Shayna Taylor. Shayna sprang from the success of her CBD oil business to buy a small-scale olive oil farm in northern Italy and ships all her products straight back to her old home.
Soup season is quick approaching, which means all of your favorite vegetable-based soups are back on the menu. To get the absolute best-tasting soup, organic Italian olive oil from Shayna’s Kitchen is the easiest way to level up your flavor.
Shayna’s Kitchen
Casella postale, 46, 06073 Chiugiana PG, Italy