Tomato and Bread Soup (Pappa al Pomodoro)
Tomato and Bread Soup (Pappa al Pomodoro)

Fresh tomatoes usually get all the love, obscuring the fact that canned tomatoes, preserved at their peak in their own juices, are wonderful, too! This soup, though made of humble ingredients, is transformed when drizzled with exquisitely fresh olive oil.

Serves 4 Recipe adapted from seriouseats.com

Chilled Tomato Soup with Créme Fraiche
Chilled Tomato Soup with Créme Fraiche

Like a refined version of gazpacho, this soup is refreshing and can be served as a starter or light main course. Make the soup and the herbed crème fraîche a day ahead of time, if desired, and refrigerate. (Let the crème fraîche come to room temperature before serving.)

Serves 6Recipe from foodandwine.com

Lentil and Chorizo Soup (Lentejas con Chorizo)
Lentil and Chorizo Soup (Lentejas con Chorizo)

A small restaurant on the road from Madrid to Jaén serves incredible lentil and chorizo soup. It might be my “favorite bite” of this trip.

Serves 6Recipe adapted from food52.com

Fresh Tomato Soup
Fresh Tomato Soup

Make this simple soup when sun-ripened tomatoes come into the market. If you’re unfamiliar with it, burrata is a water-packed, milky mozzarella-like cheese filled with cream. Substitute a spoonful of fresh ricotta if burrata is unavailable.

Serves 6 to 8 — Recipe from Angelini Osteria, Los Angeles, CA