2 lbs large plum tomatoes
2 Tbs olive oil
1 tsp granulated sugar
1 small dried chiles, broken, up to 2 or 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 onions very finely chopped
2 large clov garlic crushed and peeled
1 1/2 tsp paprika preferably spanish
1 Tbs chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
28 oz italian plum tomatoes well drained and chopped reserve liquid
6 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth, defatted
salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
8 large shrimp, optional 1/2 pound
2 Tbs snipped fresh chives or slivered basil leaves
garlic crostini see recipe


Preheat oven to 225°F. Lightly oil a large baking sheet with sides or coat it with nonstick spray.
Cut fresh tomatoes in half lengthwise. Arrange, cut-side down, in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil and sprinkle with sugar. Roast for 3 hours, or until very soft and wrinkled. Let cool and set aside.
Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven or soup pot, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil and dried chilies (or crushed red pepper) over medium-low heat. Add onions and garlic and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Add paprika and oregano and cook, stirring, for 1 minute more.
Add canned tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer, partially covered, for 25 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
Strain soup into a bowl; transfer solids to a food processor or blender. Puree until smooth, adding a little broth if necessary. Return puree and broth to pot. Whisk to combine.
Using a food mill, puree reserved roasted tomatoes. (Alternatively, slip off skins, puree in a food processor and strain through a coarse sieve.) Add puree to soup. (If the soup is too thick, add a little of the reserved canned tomato liquid.) Season with salt and pepper.
If using shrimp, cook in a large saucepan of boiling salted water until they just turn pink, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain and let cool. Peel shrimp and cut in half lengthwise.
Ladle into warmed soup bowls and garnish with shrimp, if using, and chives (or basil). Serve immediately, with Garlic Crostini.