Creamy Tomato Soup (Printable)
Enjoy a velvety, comforting tomato dish featuring rich creaminess and vibrant flavor, ideal for a cozy meal at home.
# What You'll Need:
→ Liquids
01 - 2 cups vegetable broth
02 - 2/3 cup heavy cream
→ Seasonings
03 - 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
05 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
06 - 1/4 teaspoon dried basil (optional)
→ Garnish
07 - Fresh basil leaves, for serving
08 - Extra heavy cream, for drizzling (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
02 - Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in the tomatoes (including their juices if using canned), vegetable broth, sugar, salt, black pepper, and dried basil if desired. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
04 - Cover the pot and continue to cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors are well combined and the tomatoes have broken down.
05 - Remove the pot from heat. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until it reaches a smooth consistency. Alternatively, carefully transfer the soup in batches to a countertop blender and blend until smooth.
06 - Return the pureed soup to low heat. Stir in the heavy cream and gently warm for 2 to 3 minutes, ensuring not to bring it to a boil. Adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Ladle the creamy tomato soup into serving bowls. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and a drizzle of extra cream, if desired. Serve hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This soup is deceptively simple to make, yet it tastes like you spent hours coaxing every ounce of flavor from the ingredients.
- It's the ultimate culinary hug on a chilly evening, capable of transforming even the most basic meal into something truly special.
02 -
- The biggest secret to deep, rich flavor in this soup is patience with the onions; sautéing them slowly brings out their natural sugars and forms the base.
- Always add the heavy cream at the very end and only heat it gently, never letting it come to a rolling boil, which can cause it to separate.
03 -
- Don't be tempted to skimp on the simmering time after adding the tomatoes; those 15 minutes are crucial for the flavors to meld and deepen beautifully.
- Always do a final taste test right before serving; a little extra salt, pepper, or even another tiny pinch of sugar can make all the difference in brightening the soup.