I never understood how people could drink Campbell's tomato soup with water instead of milk--or without Ritz crackers. But I also never quite caught the Warhol bug. He was undeniably brilliant at finding and encouraging talent--and every successful art age has had a facilitator like him to thank--but his Marilyn hung on our wall for years, but when it was gone, no one seemed to care or mention it again. Rather like the advertising world that so fascinated him. Great article.
This was such a cool post, Jolene! Warhol’s comment about eating the same lunch every day for twenty years made me laugh since that’s exactly what I did as a child. If I made art starring my childhood lunch of peanut butter sandwiches I unfortunately don’t think the effect would be the same, though 😂
Like a few other people commented, I’d never thought of adding milk or cream to canned tomato soup! Something to try out the next time I’m in the US (I don’t think they have condensed soup here? I’ll have to check!).
I tried watching the Netflix series on Warhol, but they recreated his voice using AI to have "Andy" read his own diaries and I found this so disturbing and hard to listen to, I couldn't watch it.
Okay wait... tomato soup in a can. I know it is called condensed but I've never actually thought about it... in America you add water? Milk? I never bought any, and here all canned soup is ready to eat?
Hi Rachel! With condensed tomato soup you add water, milk or as I did , some cream and milk (the label says ‘or a milk substitute’) so some kind of liquid. We also have many ready-to-eat soups (including Campbell’s tomato ‘sippable’ soup).
I confess I've never had tomato soup in my life. In Italy making tomato sauce (that we use with pasta or other dishes) is more common.
What I find interesting is how our tastes are shaped by our childhood experiences, one case in point being the attachment we develop for canned and factory-made food. For example, I grew up eating the factory-made mayonnaise my mother bought at the supermarket and I still prefer it to the hand-made variety even though I know that's nonsense.
Interesting post, Jolene! I remember those ads with the Campbell Soup Kids. Growing up we had mugs that were designed to look like a soup can and, of course, perfect for eating soup from. I'm assuming they were ordered directly from Campbell's, but I don't know for sure.
The Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh is worth a visit for anyone who is a fan.
Thank you,Jolene, for this history lesson today! You have connected the dots well! The picture of your steaming bowl of soup is beautiful and just the motivation I need to make this soup again. I always loved it, and it has been a long time since I enjoyed a bowl of it with a toasted cheese sandwich!
Oh, Jolene! I loved this story about the history of Campbell's Tomato Soup (and Andy Warhol!) I didn't know you worked at Sarabeth's!!! I used to go there and I remember their delicious soup, and yes, I too make my soup with milk. But, cream....ah, that's a revelation! You are a wonderful writer and story teller! Love, Jamie
Thank you so much, Jamie! I apprenticed at Sarabeth’s right after cooking school (1990) and she hired me! Adding some cream changes the whole dish,🍅 so m’m good! 😂 hope you’re well! ❤️
Marvelous piece on so many levels, Jolene! I’m a huge Warhol fan and have been ever since I saw a wonderful exhibit of his work at MOCA in L.A. that included work from his days as a commercial illustrator. By chance I once picked up an Amy Vanderbilt cookbook from 1961, “Drawings by Andrew Warhol.” There are adorable little black and white line drawings of canapés, breakfast trays and soufflés--but sadly none of tomato soup. The story about his getting permission to paint the queen’s portrait is a gem. I wish I had that picture on my wall--along with the the tomato soup!
Meanwhile, since my husband Jeff is a HUGE fan of both grilled cheese and tomato soup, I’ll have to try that trick of adding milk and cream to Campbell’s and see if it passes muster. Kudos for another fab idea! 💐
Thank you, Ruth! I’m a huge Warhol fan, too and I am going to be on the lookout for the Vanderbilt book, sounds so great. I wish I could take credit for the milk and cream addition - if you read the small print on the tomato soup label, it mentions using milk or milk substitute. After seeing Sarabeth make it with cream, my interpretation of ‘milk substitute’ is cream 😂 Thanks again, looking at your pics of BC, hope it was cooler there! ❤️Ps if you go to the Christie’s link I think you’ll really enjoy the letter exchange.
I love how you tied art and food together for this post, Jolene! I now have the worst hankering for tomato soup and grilled cheese! And adding milk to canned soup is genius...I add milk and cream to plenty of soups that I make from scratch, but somehow this never occurred to me?? Such a great tip 💡
Thanks, Sam! Guess what next weeks topic is? GRILLED CHEESE 🧀 🥪 😂 I just shared with Ruth in the comments that I wish I could take credit for the milk, but the idea is in VERY fine print on the can! 😂
Well that explains why I’ve never tried it...I am awful about reading the directions on packaging 🤣 looking forward to your grilled cheese post already!! I’m sure you’ll have some excellent tricks to share--my favorite is to put mayo on the outside of the bread so it gets perfectly moist and crispy in the pan. 😋
I never understood how people could drink Campbell's tomato soup with water instead of milk--or without Ritz crackers. But I also never quite caught the Warhol bug. He was undeniably brilliant at finding and encouraging talent--and every successful art age has had a facilitator like him to thank--but his Marilyn hung on our wall for years, but when it was gone, no one seemed to care or mention it again. Rather like the advertising world that so fascinated him. Great article.
And tomorrow we’re having grilled cheese to go with the tomato soup! Thanks for reading and commenting!
I hope you'll be helping with the guilt complex I get whenever we grill a grilled cheese (especially with a mirror handy)!
This is a ‘no-guilt’ zone. 😉
This was such a cool post, Jolene! Warhol’s comment about eating the same lunch every day for twenty years made me laugh since that’s exactly what I did as a child. If I made art starring my childhood lunch of peanut butter sandwiches I unfortunately don’t think the effect would be the same, though 😂
Like a few other people commented, I’d never thought of adding milk or cream to canned tomato soup! Something to try out the next time I’m in the US (I don’t think they have condensed soup here? I’ll have to check!).
If you read the tiny print on the Campbell’s can, it talks about using milk, so I can’t take credit! 🤣 But the cream idea was all Sarabeth! 😂❤️
I tried watching the Netflix series on Warhol, but they recreated his voice using AI to have "Andy" read his own diaries and I found this so disturbing and hard to listen to, I couldn't watch it.
Oh God 😳
Okay wait... tomato soup in a can. I know it is called condensed but I've never actually thought about it... in America you add water? Milk? I never bought any, and here all canned soup is ready to eat?
Hi Rachel! With condensed tomato soup you add water, milk or as I did , some cream and milk (the label says ‘or a milk substitute’) so some kind of liquid. We also have many ready-to-eat soups (including Campbell’s tomato ‘sippable’ soup).
Mind. Blown.
😂
I confess I've never had tomato soup in my life. In Italy making tomato sauce (that we use with pasta or other dishes) is more common.
What I find interesting is how our tastes are shaped by our childhood experiences, one case in point being the attachment we develop for canned and factory-made food. For example, I grew up eating the factory-made mayonnaise my mother bought at the supermarket and I still prefer it to the hand-made variety even though I know that's nonsense.
Absolutely, Gianni, food nostalgia from childhood is strong. Hope you’re well :)
Oh this is post is an utter perfection of a cultural time-warp in so many ways.
Thanks, Jess! 😊
Such interesting historical info, Jolene! There's pretty much nothing like tomato soup and grilled cheese on a chilly fall day...
Agreed, Joan! Writing about grilled cheese next week 🧀 🥪 hope you’re doing well and thanks for your comment ❤️
Interesting post, Jolene! I remember those ads with the Campbell Soup Kids. Growing up we had mugs that were designed to look like a soup can and, of course, perfect for eating soup from. I'm assuming they were ordered directly from Campbell's, but I don't know for sure.
The Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh is worth a visit for anyone who is a fan.
Yes, Vicki! I’m gonna look on eBay and see if I can find some.
That museum is on my list! ❤️
Thank you,Jolene, for this history lesson today! You have connected the dots well! The picture of your steaming bowl of soup is beautiful and just the motivation I need to make this soup again. I always loved it, and it has been a long time since I enjoyed a bowl of it with a toasted cheese sandwich!
Glad you’ll be making it, Pam and next week I’m writing about toasted cheese/grilled cheese 🧀 🥪 sandwiches because we need them with our soup! 😂❤️
Wow! Such a great edition! From Campbell, to Andy, to Elizabeth. Good stuff as always Jo.
Thanks, Donald! Next week the topic is grilled cheese to go with the tomato soup! 🧀 🥪 ❤️
👍
Oh, Jolene! I loved this story about the history of Campbell's Tomato Soup (and Andy Warhol!) I didn't know you worked at Sarabeth's!!! I used to go there and I remember their delicious soup, and yes, I too make my soup with milk. But, cream....ah, that's a revelation! You are a wonderful writer and story teller! Love, Jamie
Thank you so much, Jamie! I apprenticed at Sarabeth’s right after cooking school (1990) and she hired me! Adding some cream changes the whole dish,🍅 so m’m good! 😂 hope you’re well! ❤️
Marvelous piece on so many levels, Jolene! I’m a huge Warhol fan and have been ever since I saw a wonderful exhibit of his work at MOCA in L.A. that included work from his days as a commercial illustrator. By chance I once picked up an Amy Vanderbilt cookbook from 1961, “Drawings by Andrew Warhol.” There are adorable little black and white line drawings of canapés, breakfast trays and soufflés--but sadly none of tomato soup. The story about his getting permission to paint the queen’s portrait is a gem. I wish I had that picture on my wall--along with the the tomato soup!
Meanwhile, since my husband Jeff is a HUGE fan of both grilled cheese and tomato soup, I’ll have to try that trick of adding milk and cream to Campbell’s and see if it passes muster. Kudos for another fab idea! 💐
Thank you, Ruth! I’m a huge Warhol fan, too and I am going to be on the lookout for the Vanderbilt book, sounds so great. I wish I could take credit for the milk and cream addition - if you read the small print on the tomato soup label, it mentions using milk or milk substitute. After seeing Sarabeth make it with cream, my interpretation of ‘milk substitute’ is cream 😂 Thanks again, looking at your pics of BC, hope it was cooler there! ❤️Ps if you go to the Christie’s link I think you’ll really enjoy the letter exchange.
I love how you tied art and food together for this post, Jolene! I now have the worst hankering for tomato soup and grilled cheese! And adding milk to canned soup is genius...I add milk and cream to plenty of soups that I make from scratch, but somehow this never occurred to me?? Such a great tip 💡
Thanks, Sam! Guess what next weeks topic is? GRILLED CHEESE 🧀 🥪 😂 I just shared with Ruth in the comments that I wish I could take credit for the milk, but the idea is in VERY fine print on the can! 😂
Well that explains why I’ve never tried it...I am awful about reading the directions on packaging 🤣 looking forward to your grilled cheese post already!! I’m sure you’ll have some excellent tricks to share--my favorite is to put mayo on the outside of the bread so it gets perfectly moist and crispy in the pan. 😋
Love it!!! I just discovered a new Wisconsin cheese 🧀 gonna try it!
Thank you, Amy! I love it too, I look forward to stopping in every Tuesday on market day. And cream makes 🍅 soup so good! Have a great weekend!