Description
Comfort meets elegance in this velvety tomato basil soup, a culinary embrace that warms hearts and delights palates. Crispy grilled cheese hearts nestled alongside invite you to savor each spoonful of pure, soothing deliciousness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 28 ounces (794 grams) canned diced tomatoes
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 4 cups (946 milliliters) vegetable broth
Fresh Herbs and Aromatics:
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) fresh basil leaves
- 1 medium onion
- 3 garlic cloves
Bread and Cheese:
- 4 bread slices (e.g., sourdough)
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic in olive oil over medium heat until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Pour in diced tomatoes and vegetable broth, allowing the mixture to gently simmer for 15-20 minutes to develop rich flavors.
- Transfer the hot soup to a blender and puree until completely smooth and velvety, ensuring no chunks remain.
- Return the blended soup to the pot and incorporate heavy cream, stirring continuously to create a luxurious texture.
- Delicately fold fresh basil leaves into the soup, allowing their aromatic essence to infuse the creamy base.
- While soup simmers, prepare grilled cheese sandwiches using soft bread and sharp cheddar, cooking until exterior turns golden and crisp.
- Carefully slice grilled cheese sandwiches into romantic heart shapes using a sharp knife or cookie cutter.
- Ladle the creamy tomato soup into warm bowls and garnish with heart-shaped grilled cheese, creating a whimsical and comforting presentation.
Notes
- Roast tomatoes beforehand for deeper, richer flavor complexity that elevates the soup’s taste profile.
- Use an immersion blender for silky smooth texture without transferring hot liquid between containers, reducing potential mess and safety risks.
- For dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream to maintain creamy consistency while accommodating dietary restrictions.
- Select ripe, in-season tomatoes when possible for maximum natural sweetness and robust tomato flavor that transforms the soup from good to extraordinary.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg