It's that time of year when the days are starting to cool a bit here, and things like a tasty tomato-basil soup with grilled cheese make a perfect dinner. If you have fresh tomatoes, then check out one of my other tomato soup recipes - they're both delicious. One is a roasted tomato soup recipe, and the other is a fresh summer tomato & basil soup recipe. Alas, this recipe came about because all my tomatoes are itty bitty (delicious, but not really soup tomatoes) but I did still have some fresh basil available. Enjoy!
A bowl of fresh tomato-basil soup, ready to eat with our open-faced grilled cheese. Yum!
Tomato-Basil Soup
Makes ~7 cups of soup
In a large pot, heat until bubbling:
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp butter
Add and cook until just softened,
1 medium to large onion, chopped
Stir in, letting cook 1 minute:
1 large can (796 ml / 27 oz) diced tomatoes
2 - 3 tsp minced garlic
Add:
3 1/2 cups chicken stock (I often just fill the diced tomato can with water & add GF chicken bouillon or Asian mushroom seasoning)
2 - 3 Tbsp tomato paste
1/4 - 1/2 tsp chili sauce or harissa paste *see below
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves (I've often added this later, but it adds a wonderful depth to simmer along with everything)
In a large pot, heat until bubbling:
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp butter
Add and cook until just softened,
1 medium to large onion, chopped
Stir in, letting cook 1 minute:
1 large can (796 ml / 27 oz) diced tomatoes
2 - 3 tsp minced garlic
3 1/2 cups chicken stock (I often just fill the diced tomato can with water & add GF chicken bouillon or Asian mushroom seasoning)
2 - 3 Tbsp tomato paste
1/4 - 1/2 tsp chili sauce or harissa paste *see below
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves (I've often added this later, but it adds a wonderful depth to simmer along with everything)
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer 20 minutes.
Puree the soup with a stick blender to desired consistency.
Taste & season with additional salt & pepper, as desired.
Serve hot with fresh ground pepper & grilled cheese sandwiches!
Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer 20 minutes.
Puree the soup with a stick blender to desired consistency.
Taste & season with additional salt & pepper, as desired.
Serve hot with fresh ground pepper & grilled cheese sandwiches!
We often place slices of bread on a pan and top with sliced cheese, then just heat it all in the oven and eat these open-faced "grilled cheese" breads with our tomato soup.
Enjoy!
*A bit more about Harissa: This amount will add just a touch of depth to the taste, but not spiciness - add a bit more if you want more spice. Harissa is a hot chili paste that incorporate a few others spices as well. It tends to come in small containers, like a small jar. If you don't have harissa, you can add a small pinch of cayenne powder or little scoop of any hot chili paste.
*A bit more about Harissa: This amount will add just a touch of depth to the taste, but not spiciness - add a bit more if you want more spice. Harissa is a hot chili paste that incorporate a few others spices as well. It tends to come in small containers, like a small jar. If you don't have harissa, you can add a small pinch of cayenne powder or little scoop of any hot chili paste.
