Tomato Soup

I have made this tomato soup for several occasions, most recently Avery's first birthday luncheon, and always get requests for the recipe. It goes really well with my focaccia bread.

Adapted from The Nato's, serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

1/4 cup olive oil
2 stalks celery, diced
4 carrots, peeled and diced
2 onions, peeled and diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil
2 bay leaves
Pinch chili flakes, optional
3.5 cups whole peeled or diced tomatoes (2 14 ounce cans)
2 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons butter, optional
1 cup cream or coconut milk
Salt
Pepper
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Parmesan cheese

Directions

In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the celery, carrot, onions, garlic, dried basil, bay leaves, chill flakes, salt and pepper. Sauté until softened and caramelized, about 10 minutes. The longer the better!

Add the tomatoes (including the juice), chicken stock, sugar and butter, if using. Simmer over medium-low heat until the vegetables are tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Again, the longer the better!

Remove the bay leaves. Blend with an immersion blender until smooth. Add the cream and basil. Simmer for 5 more minutes.

Serve hot with parmesan cheese to garnish.

♥  Amy