Tomato Soup Silky & Warm (Printable)
Warm, silky tomato soup with basil and a hint of cream; quick to prepare and ideal for chilly days.
# Ingredient List:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 lbs ripe tomatoes, chopped
02 - 1 medium onion, chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 medium carrot, peeled and sliced
→ Liquids
05 - 3 ⅓ cups vegetable broth
→ Seasonings
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
08 - ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
09 - ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
10 - 1 teaspoon dried basil or a few fresh basil leaves, plus extra for garnish
→ Optional
11 - ¼ cup heavy cream or milk (for creaminess)
# Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and carrot; sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
02 - Add chopped tomatoes to the pot and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to break down and release their juices.
03 - Pour in vegetable broth and add basil, salt, pepper, and sugar if using. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until all vegetables are tender.
04 - Remove from heat. Use an immersion blender or transfer to a countertop blender in batches and blend until silky smooth.
05 - If using, stir in heavy cream or milk and warm through gently without boiling. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
06 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve warm with crusty bread or grilled cheese sandwiches.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It turns simple everyday produce into something velvety and deeply satisfying without any fuss.
- The soup freezes beautifully so you can always have a warm meal waiting on busy nights.
02 -
- Blending hot soup in a countertop blender can cause pressure to build up, so always remove the center cap from the lid and cover it with a towel.
- Roasting the tomatoes and carrots beforehand adds an incredible layer of depth that is worth the extra step when you have time.
03 -
- The best tomatoes for this soup are the ones that smell like a garden when you hold them close to your nose.
- If your soup tastes flat no matter what you do, a tiny splash of balsamic vinegar at the end will wake everything up beautifully.