Of course fresh ingredients are best but when you're pressed for time or if your farmers market doesn't have basil leaves and your tomatoes are already turning brown and soft, just do it like this. Your family won't really even know the difference anyway.
I like this soup in the cold months and in the warm months too. During winter you can dip your grilled cheese sandwich in there and make it a heartier meal. In the summer months, when it's so hot you can hardly stand it, you can eat this cold or at room temperature and it won't make you sick to your stomach!
Enjoy!
Easy, Creamy Tomato-Basil Soup
(Serves 6, makes about 8 cups)
4 cans (14.5 oz) of diced tomatoes - I used petite tomatoes - read label carefully for no added salt, sugar or preservatives
4 tsp. dried ground basil leaves (Or use 12 fresh leaves cut up if you have them on hand!)
4 Tbsp real, all natural butter - I used Kerrygold Pure Irish brand
1 cup of half and half cream - I used organic creamer marked from Pasture raised cows
sea salt and ground pepper to taste
1-2 tsp of lemon juice to garnish (optional)
Heat a medium size sauce pan on the stove. Pour in the canned tomatoes (juices included). Simmer on medium-high until the liquid starts to burn. Remove from heat. Add in the basil leaves, half and half cream, butter and any seasoning you wish to add. Stir until the butter has melted.
Gently pour the tomato-basil liquid into a blender or food processor. You may need to do this in several batches like I did. Puree until smooth. Serve immediately or portion out for several servings like I did so I could enjoy this for lunch a few times this week!
This freezes well! I hope you try it and find it tasty too.
Do you eat soups during the warmer, summer months? Does the heat affect how you eat?
This sounds really yummy! I planted some tomatoes and we're growing basil for the first time. I wonder how this would taste with fresh veggies vs canned and dried spices?
ReplyDeleteI am such a sucker for a good tomato soup recipe, thank you for sharing! I can't wait to try it!
ReplyDeleteHope everything has been going well :-)
You had me with "easy"...hope you're doing well, Mandy! This is a great food blog :)
ReplyDeleteCandi - There is no doubt in my mind that using fresh tomatoes and basil would be better, especially the basil! I tried to obtain fresh leaves and went to two places....neither of them had them! So it wasn't meant to be for me this time but you've got the stuff so go for it!
ReplyDeleteKate - Enjoy it! I need to stop by your blog soon. I'm doing great, just busy. Hoping to catch up on my reading this weekend!
Kelly - I know about "easy"! Now that I'm working outside the home again, I just don't have the extra time to do everything from scratch. This one is simple and quick. Try it! Hugs!
love soupd, but not in the summer! Hope all is well, anne
ReplyDelete