Classic Tomato Basil Soup Recipe – Recipe#18

Among all those recipes, the tomato basil soup recipe cannot be regarded as the recipe, excluding many people’s comfort food list. This is a very rudimentary tomato basil soup and this is one of those meals that you can eat at any time of year. It can be taken as a dinner during rainy evenings or as a first course during a dinner party and below is the tomato basil soup recipe. In this detailed post on how to make the best tomato basil soup- you will learn how to do more than just choose the better option.

Introduction

Tomato basil soup recipe can be described as a meal but it is also much more – it is comfort in a bowl. This popular course consists of ripe tomatoes seasoned by the fresh smell of basil. This recipe is great for the everyday moments as well as for making a change to the traditional tomato basil soup recipe. In this guide, each point is elaborated from choosing the ingredients, the forming of the dish, to the cooking method used. In the end, you’ll have all the components you need to make a most memorable tomato basil soup.

Ingredients

To make the perfect classic tomato basil soup recipe, gather these key ingredients:

Fresh Ingredients

• Tomatoes: 2 lbs tomato, ripe, peeled and chopped; or 2 tins good quality diced tomatoes
• Fresh Basil: 1 cup fresh basil leaves, compact
• Onion: 1 moderate onion, chopped
• Garlic: 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Carrot: 1 carrot chopped to medium size or 1 cup of carrots diced
• Celery: 1 stalk celery, diced

Pantry Staples

• Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons
• Vegetable or Chicken Broth: 4 cups
• Sugar: pinch of sugar (optional, in order to lessen the sourness of the tomatoes)
• Salt and Pepper: To taste

Optional Ingredients

• Heavy Cream: 1/2 cup (Alternative: for thin sauce add 1/4 cup)
• Red Pepper Flakes: A pinch, (for a rather spicy dish)

If you want your regularly traditional tomato basil soup to be more flavorsome, try using homemade broth. If you do not have time, then buying good ready-made broth at a store is also a good choice.

Preparation Steps

1. Prepare the Ingredients

First of all, gather all the ingredients necessary for the tomato basil soup recipe that is so popular on the internet. In case you are using fresh tomatoes, to solve the problem of peeling you should blanch them in boiling water for 1-2 minutes. You will just have to skin it, then cut them into coarse pieces. Cut the onion, carrot and celery into small cubes and chop the garlic very fine. In addition to that, preparing all your raw materials will help you to avoid time wastage which comes with preparation.

2. Sauté the Vegetables

Cray the olive oil in a large pot and set it at medium heat. Sauté the onion, carrot and celery in the pot and add it in the boiling stock. Veggies become tender, and the onion turns transparent, taking about 5-7 mins to sauté on medium heat while occasionally stirring. This step helps you create the base for your tomato basil soup; your sophisticated conventional recipe.

3. Add Garlic and Tomatoes

Stir in the minced garlic and remain for about a minute until the garlic releases its fragrance. Then add the chopped tomatoes [or canned tomatoes]. Stir the ingredients together so that they combine and leave it to stain for a while for the tastes to mingle.

4. Simmer the Soup

Add the vegetable or chicken broth and let the mixture come to a boil. Lower the heat to coals and let it stew for 20-25 minutes or until tomatoes are mushy and vegetables equally soft. If using whole tomatoes, it will be useful to mash them with a spoon as they are being cooked. This simmering step is important in enhancing the depth of flavor in your easy tomato basil soup recipe.

5. Blend the Soup

For a very smooth soup for creaminess, use an immersion blender and blend the soup right in the pot. If you don’t possess an immersion blender, then ladle the soup in portions into a blender container. Process until creamy and return the mixture into the pot. This step alone transforms your tomato basil soup to a really delicious and luxurious soup.

6. Season and Add Basil

Finally add the fresh basil leaves to the soup and allow to wilt in the hot soup. Sprinkle with salt, freshly ground black pepper and sugar to the desired measure. If you need the dish to be on the creamy side, add the heavy cream at this point. Heat till hot but do not allow the soup to boil once you have added the cream.

7. Optional: Add a Touch of Heat

For a little bit of a kick add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Stir well and season them according to the customer’s taste. This step is optional but give a little kick to your creamy tomato basil soup recipe.

8. Serve and Enjoy

Pour the soup into the bowls and have it served hot. Optionally a few extra basil leaves or a spoon of cream can be added to the dish. You should never eat your traditional tomato basil soup without taking it with a slice of bread, or maybe even a grilled cheese.

Check Out: Warm Up with the Ultimate Autumn Soup Recipe – Recipe#17.

Health Benefits

The classic tomato basil soup recipe isn’t just a comforting meal; it’s also packed with health benefits:

Nutritional Powerhouse

• Tomatoes: Vitamin ‘C’ and ‘A’ carrying, and antioxidants like Lycopene reduces certain cancers and heart disease risks.
• Basil: It has essential oils with inflammation, digestion, and stress relieving features.
• Carrots and Celery: Supplement with fiber, vitamins and minerals, enable the promotion of health digestion and general health.

Preparing this classic tomato basil soup from scratch also preserves better proportions of the essential nutrients as compared to the commercial ones while avoiding the addition of excess portions of salt and fats.

Variations and Tips

Variations

1. Roasted Tomato Basil Soup: To get the additional depth and intensity of flavor, first, brown the tomatoes and garlic on a pan before combining it with the pot. Sauté them in olive oil and put in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for roughly 30 minutes or until browned.
2. Spicy Tomato Basil Soup: I also love using a small amount of jalapeño pepper or a few drops of hot sauce if you like your dish spicy. Season with hot peppers to taste and to balance with other regular flavors of the soup.
3. Vegan Version: Do not add the cream to make the soup vegan instead, use vegetable broth. For a creamy texture without the dairy you can use coconut milk instead.
4. Herb Variations: Try using other herbs like thyme, oregano or rosemary as they will give the dish a different kind of taste.

Tips

• Tomato Quality: The taste of your traditional tomato basil soup recipe as you prepare it depends more on tomato quality. For the best flavor, use vine- ripened tomatoes. In the event that one is using canned tomatoes, then should go for the best brands.
• Blending: If you don’t have an immersion blender, scoop some of the soup into heat-proof bowls and then blend in 2 to 3 batches. This helps in preventing splatters during blending and thus making the process safer to conduct.
• Storage: Surprisingly, this finest tomato and basil soup recipe can be kept in the refrigerator for up to one week and has a proper freezing period up to three months. If you have added cream then gently reheat so as to avoid curdling.

Serving Suggestions

The classic tomato basil soup recipe pairs beautifully with a variety of sides:

• Grilled Cheese Sandwich: One really brilliant match – they are not just for dipping and perfect to be eaten together.
• Crusty Bread: A slice of freshly baked bread or a baguette enhances the feel of the soup wonderfully.
• Simple Green Salad: The soup is followed by a light accompaniment of a green salad with a sharp vinaigrette dressing.

Conclusion

Tomato basil soup is a recipe that for many people can recall their childhood, as simple actual and fresh ingredients combine for a simple yet very tasty and delightful meal. Since there is no meat, it is vegetarian; with or without cream, it is rather versatile and spells comfort. With help of this detailed guide you will be able to cook a tomato basil soup that will not only be tasty and really filling but also standing as the true sign of homemade cooking. Therefore, prepare the necessary ingredients, take time for preparing the meals, and feel the taste of this effective tomato basil soup recipe.

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