Description
Creamy homemade tomato soup delivers comfort in a bowl, blending rich Italian flavors with garden-fresh ingredients. Perfectly balanced and simple to prepare, this recipe offers warm satisfaction you’ll savor down to the last delicious spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 2 pounds fresh tomatoes
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 dried bay leaf
- 1 handful fresh basil leaves
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
Spices and Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious stockpot over moderate temperature, introducing diced onions and minced garlic. Sauté until translucent and aromatic, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Incorporate fresh tomatoes into the pot, allowing them to soften and gradually disintegrate, releasing their natural juices and intensifying the flavor profile.
- Stream vegetable or chicken broth into the mixture, elevating the heat to generate a gentle, rolling simmer. Maintain consistent low-medium heat for roughly 20 minutes, periodically stirring to prevent ingredient adherence.
- Transform the soup’s texture using an immersion blender directly in the pot, or carefully transfer contents to a standard blender. Process until achieving a velvety, uniform consistency with no visible chunks.
- Gently fold heavy cream into the pureed soup, creating a luxurious, silky mouthfeel. Integrate freshly chopped basil leaves for a vibrant herbaceous note.
- Season the soup with salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and a whisper of sugar to balance the tomatoes’ natural acidity. Adjust seasoning according to personal preference.
- Allow the soup to rest on low heat for an additional 3-5 minutes, permitting flavors to meld and harmonize before ladling into warm serving bowls.
Notes
- Select ripe, in-season tomatoes for the most intense, sweet flavor that elevates the entire soup’s taste profile.
- Use an immersion blender directly in the pot to minimize cleanup and make the blending process smoother and more convenient.
- Adjust the soup’s sweetness by adding a pinch of sugar if the tomatoes are too acidic, balancing the overall flavor without overwhelming the natural tomato taste.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream to maintain the soup’s creamy texture while catering to different dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 106 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg