Hearty Harvest Tomato Basil Soup
Savor the essence of fall with this Hearty Harvest Tomato Basil Soup, inspired by the classic flavors of the season. Fresh vine-ripened tomatoes take center stage, complemented by the sweetness of sautéed onions and carrots, fragrant garlic, and aromatic basil. This comforting soup is perfect for chilly days and offers a delightful balance of flavors that warm the soul. By using an immersion blender, you achieve a silky-smooth texture without the hassle of extra equipment. Plus, it freezes beautifully, allowing you to enjoy a taste of summer in winter. Serve each bowl with a swirl of cream, a sprinkle of fresh basil, and crunchy croutons for the perfect finishing touch. Enjoy this revitalizing dish that captures the essence of homemade goodness with every spoonful!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
3 tablespoons (none)
chopped red onions
1 1/2 cups (2 onions, chopped)
carrots
2 (unpeeled and chopped)
minced garlic
1 tablespoon (3 cloves, minced)
vine-ripened tomatoes
4 lbs (5 large, coarsely chopped)
sugar
1 teaspoon (none)
tomato paste
1 tablespoon (none)
packed chopped fresh basil leaf
1/4 cup (plus julienned leaves for garnish)
chicken stock
3 cups (preferably homemade)
kosher salt
1 tablespoon (none)
fresh ground black pepper
1 teaspoon (none)
heavy cream or half-and-half
3/4 cup (none)
croutons
to garnish (none)
Instructions
1
1. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat.
2
2. Add the chopped red onions and carrots to the pot. Sauté for about 10 minutes until the vegetables are very tender, stirring occasionally.
3
3. Stir in the minced garlic, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.
4
4. Add the coarsely chopped tomatoes, sugar, tomato paste, chopped basil, chicken stock, kosher salt, and black pepper to the pot. Mix everything thoroughly.
5
5. Increase the heat to bring the soup to a boil, then reduce it to a gentle simmer. Allow it to cook uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes until the tomatoes have softened significantly.
6
6. After simmering, remove the pot from heat. Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth. Alternatively, you can transfer the soup in batches to a blender or food processor, then strain through a colander for a smoother consistency.
7
7. Return the blended soup to low heat. Gently stir in the heavy cream or half-and-half until well combined and heated through, but do not let it boil.
8
8. Serve hot, garnished with julienned basil leaves and croutons for added texture and flavor.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Harvest Tomato Basil Soup?
It is a comforting seasonal soup featuring fresh vine-ripened tomatoes, sweet sauteed onions and carrots, garlic, and aromatic basil, finished with a touch of cream.
How much olive oil is used to start the soup?
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of olive oil heated over medium-low heat.
What kind of onions should I use?
You should use 1 1/2 cups of chopped red onions, which is approximately 2 onions.
Do the carrots need to be peeled?
No, the recipe suggests using 2 chopped carrots that are unpeeled.
How long do I sauté the onions and carrots?
Sauté the chopped red onions and carrots for about 10 minutes until the vegetables are very tender.
How much garlic is required?
The recipe requires 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, which is roughly 3 cloves.
When should I add the garlic to the pot?
Stir in the minced garlic after the onions and carrots have finished sautéing, and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
What type of tomatoes are best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 4 pounds of vine-ripened tomatoes, which is approximately 5 large tomatoes, coarsely chopped.
Is there sugar in this tomato soup?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of sugar is added to help balance the natural acidity of the tomatoes.
Why is tomato paste included?
One tablespoon of tomato paste is used to enhance the depth of flavor and richness of the soup.
How much fresh basil goes into the soup?
You will need 1/4 cup of packed chopped fresh basil leaves for the soup base.
What type of stock is recommended?
The recipe recommends 3 cups of chicken stock, preferably homemade.
How much salt and pepper is needed?
Use 1 tablespoon of kosher salt and 1 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
After bringing it to a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes.
Should I cover the pot while simmering?
No, the instructions state to allow the soup to cook uncovered while it simmers.
What is the best way to blend the soup?
An immersion blender is recommended to blend the soup directly in the pot until smooth.
Can I use a regular blender if I don't have an immersion blender?
Yes, you can transfer the soup in batches to a blender or food processor, then strain through a colander for a smoother consistency.
When do I add the cream?
After blending, return the soup to low heat and gently stir in the heavy cream or half-and-half.
Can I use half-and-half instead of heavy cream?
Yes, the recipe allows for either 3/4 cup of heavy cream or 3/4 cup of half-and-half.
Is it okay to boil the soup after adding the cream?
No, you should heat the soup until well combined but do not let it come to a boil once the cream is added.
What are the recommended garnishes?
The soup is best served garnished with julienned fresh basil leaves and crunchy croutons.
Does this soup freeze well?
Yes, this soup freezes beautifully, making it easy to enjoy summer flavors during the winter months.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 13 total ingredients including the garnishes like croutons.
What kind of pot should I use?
A large, heavy-bottomed pot is recommended for even cooking.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily make it vegetarian by substituting the chicken stock with vegetable stock.
What is the serving temperature?
This soup should be served hot for the best flavor and comfort.
How do I prepare the basil for garnish?
The basil for garnish should be julienned, which means cut into thin, long strips.
How many tomatoes do I need by count?
You will need approximately 5 large vine-ripened tomatoes.
Is the soup smooth or chunky?
The soup is intended to be silky-smooth after being blended with an immersion blender or food processor.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Associated tags include soup, tomato soup, basil, vegetable, comfort food, fall recipes, and hearty.