Creamy Tomato Soup

Cozy up with a warm, comforting bowl of Creamy Tomato Soup, a deliciously rich and velvety treat for your taste buds. Made with fresh tomatoes, aromatic garlic, and a hint of herbs, this soup is a perfect blend of flavors that will leave you feeling satisfied and comforted.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes (or 1 can of diced tomatoes, 14.5 oz)
• 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.

Add the minced garlic and continue to cook for another minute, until fragrant.

Add the chopped fresh tomatoes (or canned diced tomatoes) to the pot, stirring to combine. Cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth, stirring to combine.

Bring the mixture to a simmer and let cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the soup has thickened slightly. Use an immersion blender (or transfer the soup to a blender in batches) to puree the soup until smooth.

Stir in the heavy cream or half-and-half, dried basil, and dried oregano.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, garnished with a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs, if desired.

Yield: 7 servings.

Notes

Use fresh tomatoes when in season for a brighter flavor, otherwise canned diced tomatoes work perfectly.

If using canned tomatoes, drain and rinse them to remove excess sodium.

For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a non-dairy alternative, keeping in mind the flavor might vary.

You can also customize with a pinch of sugar to balance acidity or a splash of red wine for added depth.

To make ahead, prepare the soup up to the point of adding cream, then refrigerate or freeze.

Add cream just before serving.

Freeze up to 3 months or refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Nutrional Value

• Calories: 340
• Total Fat: 26g
• Saturated Fat: 17g
• Cholesterol: 80mg
• Sodium: 450mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 20g
• Dietary Fiber: 4g
• Sugars: 10g
• Protein: 7g
• Vitamin A: 20% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Vitamin C: 40% of the DV
• Calcium: 20% of the DV
• Iron: 15% of the DV