Here is the last Campbell’s Everyday Gourmet soup for me to review! So sad, I loved product testing these soups.
The Product
Their Tomato Basil Bisque is made with “…vine ripened tomatoes and fresh cream, and subtle notes of aromatic basil”. When I poured the soup out of the box and into my pot I saw that it was extremely rich and creamy.
Ingredients: WATER, DICED TOMATOES (TOMATOES, TOMATO JUICE, CITRIC ACID, CALCIUM CHLORIDE), TOMATO PASTE, CREAM, SUGAR, BUTTERNUT SQUASH, CANOLA OR SOYBEAN OIL, DRIED POTATOES, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, BUTTER, SALT, MODIFIED MILK INGREDIENTS, FLAVOUR, CITRIC ACID (FOR TARTNESS), DRIED BASIL, ONION POWDER, SPICES.
Everyday Gourmet Tomato Basil Bisque soup is suitable for vegetarians, is gluten-free and there are two full servings of vegetables per 250 mL serving.
Once it heated up I noticed that there with pieces of tomato floating around the bowl. I was a little relieved since all the other soups I had reviewed were puréed. It was starting to feel like I was product testing baby food!
I wish I could say I liked this soup as much as the other ones. The basil was not too strong, a subtle “after tone” which I appreciated but I found this soup a little too tart and sweet at the same time. It reminded me of their Thai Tomato Coconut Soup a lot which I wished stood more on its own. This felt like a toned down version but with some basil. I was hoping for a real classic tomato soup with cream and basil.
As a result, I give this product three out of five wooden spoons. It is good but I think it could be even better. If you buy this product, I recommend adding some shredded mozzarella on top! I bet that would be a delicious and traditional addition to the tomato and basil combo.
Foodie Conclusion
I absolutely applaud Campbell’s for creating their line of Everyday Gourmet soups. Homemade soups are always superior but if you have to have something from the store, these are a home run. I was impressed with most of them and just hope that they start taking non-pureed soups to this heightened foodie level. If they do, I will be taste-testing. I promise!
Campbell’s wrote me directly to let me know that their soups have no preservatives or artificial colours or flavours. Pretty damn impressive! Well done Campbell’s.
If you missed my other reviews: Red Pepper Black Bean, Sweet Potato Tomatillo, Thai Tomato Coconut and Golden Butternut Squash.
Wow, 50 % of your daily recommended sodium intake in just 1 cup of that, are they out of their minds? They get that the general idea is to keep loyal customers *alive*, right? lol.
It doesn’t surprise me there is a lot of salt considering there are no other preservatives. Personally, I am OK with salt but if you have issues, homemade is the way to go.
The tomato basil (improvised) is my fav thus far. I am far from being anywhere near done!! I have to cope with IBS-D and this passes the test. To improvise add some pesto, grated sharp cheddar and crumbled cooked bacon. Scrumptious !!
I was only a little disappointed to hear that there were lumps in this soup since I will still be able to recommend those other soups to friends with dysphagia. There are other tomato soups to be had.