Name: Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
Ingredients: 9 Roma tomatoes sliced lengthwise; 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 1 yellow onion diced; 4 garlic cloves minced; 1 tbsp fresh thyme minced; 1 tsp Kosher salt; ½ tsp ground black pepper; 1 28 oz. can San Marzano tomatoes crushed; 1 cup basil fresh, roughly chopped; 1 tbsp sugar; 2 cups chicken stock; 2/3 cup heavy cream

Description

This roasted tomato basil soup blends the rich, sweet flavors of roasted Roma tomatoes with the fresh, aromatic essence of basil. The addition of sautéed onions, garlic, and a touch of heavy cream creates a velvety texture, making it a perfect comfort food. This recipe from “How to Feed a Loon” is easy to follow and results in a soup that is both hearty and elegant.

Ingredients

Scale

9 Roma tomatoes sliced lengthwise
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 yellow onion diced
4 garlic cloves minced
1 tbsp fresh thyme minced
1 tsp Kosher salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
1 28 oz. can San Marzano tomatoes crushed
1 cup basil fresh, roughly chopped
1 tbsp sugar
2 cups chicken stock
2/3 cup heavy cream

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F.
Spread tomato halves on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, and then sprinkle with salt and black pepper.
Roast tomatoes for 1 hour. Remove from oven and set aside.
Heat 2 tbsp oil, or butter, in a large pot (or Dutch oven) over medium-high heat.
Add onion, and saute for about 5 minutes.
Stir in the garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Sauté for another minute.
Add crushed tomatoes, basil, and sugar to the pot. Lower the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes.
Add the stock and the roasted tomatoes into the pot. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring every now and then.
Use an immersion blender to purée the soup, or very carefully transfer to a blender or food processor to purée. This would most likely need to be done in a couple batches. Return the soup to the pot.
Stir in the cream.
To make the mini croutons: Cut a few small pieces of bread in small cubes, add a little oil, diced garlic and basil. Bake at 400 for about 7 minutes, these make wonderful croutons!
Add the croutons to the top of the served soup. Serve at once!

Notes

Roasted Tomatoes: Enhances sweetness and depth of flavor.
Fresh Basil: Provides a vibrant, herbal note.
Heavy Cream: Adds a rich, smooth finish.
Substitutions: Use vegetable stock for a vegetarian version or coconut milk for a dairy-free alternative.
Serving Suggestion: Pair with grilled cheese or crusty bread for a complete meal.
Flavor Enhancements: Consider adding roasted garlic or a splash of balsamic vinegar for extra depth.