Friday, July 22, 2022

Creamy Roasted Tomato Basil Soup

I love this Creamy Roasted Tomato Basil Soup full of incredible flavors, naturally thickened with no need for cream!

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 50 mins
Total Time: 1 hr
 
Ingredients
  • 2 1/2 lbs Roma tomatoes, halved lengthwise
  • 1 1/4 lbs Grape (or Cherry) tomatoes, halved lengthwise
  • 8 whole cloves garlic, peeled and smashed with the back of a knife
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped (optional)
  • 1 red bell pepper, deseeded and diced
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 cups lightly packed fresh basil leaves, roughly torn

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425°F. 
  2. Place tomatoes on a baking tray with the garlic cloves. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast for about 25 minutes until soft and charred on the tops.
  3. While tomatoes are roasting, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a medium-sized pot/saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, peppers (capsicum), and potato; cook while occasionally stirring until the onion is transparent (about 6-7 minutes). Stir the tomato paste through the potatoes and onion; pour in the broth/stock; season with extra salt; cover, and bring to a boil.
  4. Reduce heat to low; simmer for about 15 minutes or until potato is just tender when tested with a fork. Add the tomatoes, garlic, and basil to the broth (save 2 tablespoons of basil to use as garnish if you wish); continue to simmer until the basil is just soft (about 2 minutes). Blend soup using a stick blender until smooth.
  5. Optional: Pour the soup through a strainer or colander to remove any skins and thick tomato pieces for a smoother soup.
  6. Sprinkle with extra basil and shaved parmesan cheese, and serve with cheesy garlic bread

Servings: 6 serves