Sunny Tomato and Basil Soup

Summer tomatoes are sweet, but tomatoes that come in during spring are tart and tangy with a hint of sweetness perfect for a simmering pot of soup. Get your dose of lycopene, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, B vitamins, and other minerals with a steamy bowl of tomato and basil soup from Kathleen Daelemans of Cooking Thin.





Tomato and Basil Soup

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium sweet onion, chopped
1 can ground peeled tomatoes
5 cups vegetable or chicken stock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh basil, thinly sliced

In a non-metallic soup pot, saute onions in olive oil until soft or for 10 minutes over medium high heat. Add the tomatoes and stock. Bring to a boil. When boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook until soup thickens slightly, about 20 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Process soup in a blender or food processor until smooth. Heat then stir in basil leaves. Serve immediately.

Tip: Drizzle olive oil on soup before serving for extra flavor. For a complete meal, serve soup with grilled cheese sandwich and a side salad.

Author: Kristine Gonzaga