SUMMER TOMATO SOUP WITH BASIL AND CROUTONS

Summer Tomato Soup with Basil and Croutons image

Provided by Food Network

Time 12h30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 pounds very ripe tomatoes, quartered, seeded, and chopped
1/2 English cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced
1/2 red pepper, cored and diced
1/2 small onion
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 ounce fresh brown bread crumbs
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, plus more as needed
1 cup vegetable stock or tomato juice
2 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves picked
16 fresh basil leaves
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Pinch cayenne pepper
Honey, optional
4 tablespoons tiny butter-fried croutons, optional

Steps:

Mix the tomatoes, cucumber, red pepper, onion, garlic, and bread crumbs in a medium glass bowl. Add the vinegar, stock, thyme, and 12 of the basil leaves. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and marinate 12 hours in the refrigerator.
Puree the mixture, and season to taste with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. If too acidic (and this will depend on the tomatoes you've used), add a little honey.
Serve cold with the remaining basil leaves shredded and scattered over top along with some croutons, if using.