Tomato Basil Soup

Tomato Basil Soup is one of my favorite winter soups. My appetite for this meal only developed over the last year. I have never been much of a tomato soup connoisseur. Although I have to admit that my experience with tomato soup was limited to cans with a Campbell's label. My craze for Tomato Basil Soup (TBS) occurred when I went to a local cafe with my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law. My mother-in-law had raved several times about the cafe's delicious Tomato Basil Soup. For some unforeseen reason, I decided to try the soup. I ordered half TBS and half of a pimento cheese sandwich. Well lets just say, that day I became a fan of two new food items. Enough rambling.

There are many different versions of this recipe. This is just the version I recommend.

Tomato Basil Soup

Ingredients:
1 onion (chopped)
2 cloves of garlic (minced)
2 tbs. of olive oil
6 sprigs of fresh basil (cut or chopped) ( or 2 table spoons of dry)
2 14oz. cans of chicken broth
2 28oz cans of whole tomatoes (cut into smaller pieces)
1 8oz can of tomato sauce
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional, if you like a kick)

Directions:
Saute onion and garlic in oil on medium heat. Add basil and sir for 30 seconds. Add chicken broth, cut tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Continue to cook on medium. Add salt, pepper and cyanne. Bring to boil and lower heat to medium low. Reduce soup by 1/4 (cook for about 30 min). Puree soup in a food processor and re-heat on medium low. Serve with pimento cheese, grill cheese, or your favorite sandwich. Makes 6-8 servings.


I have decided that this soup must also be served with a delicious pimento cheese sandwich or a yummy grill cheese sandwich. As a luxury, I like to buy pimento cheese from the cafe where my appetite for this meal first emerged. However, this time I made it homemade (not because it was easier or much cheaper) just because I was feeling especially domestic. I used Paula Deen's recipe. Paula's recipe produces a very creamy smooth spread.

I hope you enjoy this warm winter delightful pleasure!