Tomato Basil Soup

Tomato Basil Soup

Ingredients:

• 4 large tomatoes (chopped)
• 1 medium onion (chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 cup vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
• 1/4 cup cream (optional for richness)
• Fresh basil (chopped)
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Sauté the onions and garlic: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and fragrant.

2. Cook the tomatoes: Add the chopped tomatoes to the pot and stir them with the onions and garlic. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to break down and soften.

3. Add broth: Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for another 10 minutes.

4. Blend the soup: Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth. If you don’t have an immersion blender, carefully transfer the soup in batches to a regular blender.

5. Add cream and season: Stir in the cream if using, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped basil. Serve with crusty bread for a complete meal.