Harmonious Tomato Basil Soup with Herbed Croutons

A balanced tomato soup with fresh basil and homemade croutons, featuring a perfect harmony of flavors.

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Category: Soups

Prep: 25 minutes. Cook: 35 minutes.

Serves 6.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs ripe tomatoes
• 1 large, chopped onion
• 2 medium, diced carrots
• 2 stalks, diced celery
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 slice, cubed baguette
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery, cooking for 8 minutes until softened.
2. Step 2: Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then add tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes, breaking them down with a spoon.
3. Step 3: Stir in chicken broth, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Step 4: Remove from heat and blend soup until smooth using an immersion blender or transfer to a regular blender in batches.
5. Step 5: Return soup to pot, add fresh basil, and heat through without boiling.
6. Step 6: While soup simmers, make croutons: toss baguette cubes with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes until golden and crisp.
7. Step 7: Serve soup hot with a sprinkle of herbed croutons on top.