Description
Creamy tomato basil soup delivers Italian comfort straight to dinner tables with rich, velvety goodness. Fresh herbs and ripe tomatoes blend into a silky masterpiece promising warmth and satisfaction for hungry souls.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped (or 2 cans (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes)
- 1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free option)
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil (or 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped)
Finishing Ingredients:
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a generously sized cooking vessel over moderate heat, introducing finely diced onions and allowing them to soften and turn translucent, releasing their delicate sweetness.
- Introduce minced garlic to the aromatic mixture, gently sautéing until its pungent fragrance permeates the kitchen.
- Pour in chopped or crushed tomatoes alongside vegetable broth, creating a vibrant liquid foundation that will transform into a velvety soup.
- Allow the concoction to gently simmer, permitting the ingredients to harmonize and develop a deep, complex flavor profile over approximately 20-25 minutes.
- Transform the rustic mixture into a silky smooth texture using an immersion blender, carefully pureeing until no discernible chunks remain. If an immersion blender is unavailable, cautiously transfer small batches to a standard blender.
- Reintroduce the pureed soup to the cooking vessel, incorporating dried oregano, dried or fresh basil, and a whisper of sugar to balance the tomatoes’ natural acidity.
- Season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
- Pour in rich, luxurious heavy cream, stirring continuously to create a luscious, uniform consistency that blankets the palate with creamy elegance.
- Let the soup gently warm through for an additional 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
- Serve in warm bowls, garnishing with delicate fresh basil leaves to provide a final aromatic flourish.
Notes
- Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or plant-based cream for a dairy-free version that maintains rich texture and flavor.
- Remove sugar entirely or use a tiny amount of honey to balance tomato acidity without overwhelming sweetness.
- Roast tomatoes beforehand to deepen flavor profile and enhance natural caramelization, creating more complex taste dimensions.
- Experiment with adding a splash of white wine or balsamic vinegar during sautéing stage to introduce subtle depth and tanginess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg