Hearty Tomato Basil Soup Recipe

Tomato basil soup is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as both a main course and a side to complement your meal. This comforting yet light tomato basil soup is perfect for those cold winter days or even when you're in need of something quick during the week.

This recipe yields approximately 6 servings, with each serving providing about 250 calories. The cooking time is around 30 minutes from start to finish. You’ll want to have your ingredients and tools ready before you begin:

• 4 medium-sized tomatoes
• 2 large onions, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Bread slices for serving (optional)

Begin by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add your finely chopped onions along with the minced garlic. Sauté these ingredients until they are soft and slightly golden brown.

After about 5 minutes of sautéing, you can add your diced tomatoes into the mix. Allow them to cook down for another 10 minutes or so, breaking up the tomatoes with a wooden spoon as needed. This helps release more flavor from within the tomato flesh. Continue cooking until the tomatoes are broken down and there is no sign of raw tomato.

When your soup base has reached this consistency, stir in the vegetable broth along with the dried basil. The heat will help meld all these flavors together into a rich sauce. Once everything comes to a gentle boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 15 minutes or until the flavors have fully integrated.

For a smoother texture, you can use an immersion blender to blend the soup right in the pot. If you prefer more chunky texture, just carefully ladle portions of the hot soup into a regular blender, making sure not to fill it too much to avoid splattering. Blend until smooth and return all the blended mixture back to your pot.

Season with salt and pepper according to personal taste preferences. The amount may vary depending on the brand or quality of spices you use; however, typically one-half teaspoon each should suffice nicely for this quantity of soup. Once seasoned, give it a final stir before serving hot garnished with fresh grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

To enjoy your delicious tomato basil soup, consider pairing it up with some crusty bread slices on the side. This adds another layer of flavor and texture to every bite. The warmth from the soup paired perfectly with the crispiness of the bread makes for an excellent meal.

If you're looking for more ways to use this versatile soup base, feel free to experiment! Try adding extra vegetables like carrots, celery, or even zucchini during your initial sauté step. You could also vary up the herbs used such as oregano instead of basil or mix in a few cups of fresh spinach leaves towards the end before blending.

The flexibility of this dish allows you to tailor it according to what ingredients you have on hand and personal flavor preferences. Whether you're hosting friends over or simply having a cozy night in, tomato basil soup is sure to bring warmth and satisfaction whether served hot or cold.

Remember that proper storage can extend the shelf life of your homemade soup beyond just today’s meal. Once cooled completely, store any leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator where they will keep safely for up to four days. For longer preservation, you could also consider freezing portions of your batch; simply spoon them into freezer-safe containers or bags and label with the date made.