CREAMY HEIRLOOM TOMATO SOUP

CREAMY HEIRLOOM TOMATO SOUP image

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, diced
4 large garlic cloves, minced
1/8 tsp hot red pepper flakes (optional - use more or less to suit your tastes)
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
3 tbsp fresh basil leaves, chopped finely
6 large heirloom tomatoes, peeled and chopped (or 2 (28oz) cans whole tomatoes, if you make this in any season other than summer)
2 tsp sugar
2 large slices good quality bread, torn into 1-inch pieces
1-1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup light cream
salt and ground pepper, to taste

Steps:

Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, thyme, basil and red pepper flakes, stirring until onions are translucent. Add tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes, until tomatoes start to break down. Using wooden spoon, mash tomatoes against side of pot to release juices. Stir in sugar and bread, stirring occasionally until bread starts to break down, about 5 minutes. Transfer soup to a blender in batches and puree' until smooth and creamy (if you have an immersion blender, feel free to use it in the soup pot). Return soup to pot and stir in chicken broth and cream. Reheat, and add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with mini grilled jarlsberg and sopressata sandwiches, if desired.