Tomato and Basil Soup (Printer-friendly)

Velvety tomatoes simmered with aromatic basil and finished with olive oil for a comforting bowl.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 3.3 lb ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids

04 - 3 cups vegetable broth
05 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

→ Herbs & Seasoning

06 - 1 small bunch fresh basil leaves, plus extra for garnish
07 - 1 teaspoon sugar, optional
08 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

09 - 1/4 cup heavy cream or plant-based cream, optional

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, approximately 5 minutes.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add chopped tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes begin to break down.
04 - Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Add sugar if desired. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
05 - Remove from heat and add basil leaves. Use an immersion blender to purée the soup until silky smooth, or blend in batches using a countertop blender.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. For extra richness, stir in heavy cream if desired.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls, drizzle with olive oil, and garnish with fresh basil leaves.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes infinitely better than anything from a can, and you'll actually know what's in it.
  • Done in under 45 minutes but tastes like a labor of love.
  • Works as a light lunch, elegant starter, or comfort meal on gray days.
02 -
  • Don't blend the soup until it cools slightly—a hot immersion blender can splash and burn you faster than you'd expect.
  • Fresh basil added at the very end preserves that peppery green flavor; cooking it too long turns it muddy and sad.
03 -
  • If you don't have an immersion blender, pour the soup carefully into a countertop blender in batches—never fill it more than halfway or you'll have tomato soup decorating your ceiling.
  • Taste constantly as you season; this soup will remind you that salt and pepper are the difference between good and unforgettable.
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