How to Make a Delicious Homemade Tomato Basil Soup

Homemade Tomato Basil Soup is a classic comfort food that many people love. Its rich and savory flavor makes it perfect for cold winter days or as a hearty lunch on a busy weekday.

This easy-to-make soup can be enjoyed by the whole family, and with just a few ingredients, you can create a delicious bowl of warmth in no time at all. The recipe is simple enough that even beginners to cooking will find it approachable.

The cooking time for this dish is approximately 40 minutes, including preparation, and the number of servings is around 6 generous bowls.

Ingredients:

• 3 medium ripe tomatoes
• 1 small onion
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried basil or fresh basil leaves
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cream (optional, for a creamier soup)
• Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)

Steps:

1. Begin by chopping the onion finely. Mince the garlic cloves as well.

2. In a large pot, heat up the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté them until they become soft and translucent. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.

3. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute to infuse more flavor into your soup base.

4. Meanwhile, if you're using ripe tomatoes, you can either dice them or use a blender to puree some of these tomatoes. Using pureed tomatoes will help create a creamier texture in the final dish.

5. Add the diced tomatoes (or blended purees) and bay leaves into your pot. Stir well to combine everything together. Simmer this mixture for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld nicely.

6. Once it's done simmering, remove one of the bay leaves if there are any left in your mix. Then add the dried or fresh basil leaves into the pot and stir again. Season with salt and pepper according to personal taste preferences.

7. If you want a creamier texture for your tomato basil soup, stir in some heavy whipping cream towards the end of cooking time – around 5 minutes before serving.

8. Let it simmer until all elements come together nicely. Once done, remove from heat and serve hot with grated Parmesan cheese sprinkled over each bowl as garnish.

Tips:

• You may also experiment by adding other vegetables such as carrots or celery for extra depth of flavor if desired.
• To make this dish even more nutritious, consider adding some spinach leaves during the last few minutes before taking it off the stove top. This gives you another layer of color and added health benefits!

Conclusion:

The Homemade Tomato Basil Soup is not only easy to prepare but also incredibly satisfying. Whether served as a main course or side dish, this classic recipe will delight both young and old alike with its simple yet comforting taste.