Description
Indulgent “creamy basil tomato delight” brings Mediterranean comfort to your kitchen, blending rich tomato essence with fragrant herbs. Silky smooth textures and bold flavors promise a delightful culinary journey you’ll savor with each delectable spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 56 ounces (1587 grams) crushed tomatoes, preferably San Marzano
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) chicken stock
- 2 yellow onions, (3 cups finely chopped)
- 3 garlic cloves, (1 tablespoon minced)
Dairy and Cream Components:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup (118 milliliters) heavy whipping cream
- ⅓ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
Herbs and Seasonings:
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish
- 1 tablespoon sugar, adjustable to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, adjustable to taste
Instructions
- Warm a nonreactive cooking vessel over moderate flame, melting butter until it shimmers and becomes fragrant.
- Gently introduce finely diced onions, allowing them to transform into a golden, translucent landscape through patient sautéing for approximately 10-12 minutes.
- Infuse the aromatics with minced garlic, stirring briefly to awaken its intense essence without browning.
- Pour crushed tomatoes with their vibrant juice, complemented by rich chicken stock, creating a harmonious liquid foundation.
- Incorporate chopped basil, a whisper of sugar, and freshly cracked black pepper, stirring to marry the flavors completely.
- Elevate the mixture to a robust boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer, partially covering the vessel to concentrate the developing flavors for about 10 minutes.
- Transform the soup’s texture using an immersion blender, carefully puréeing until achieving a silky, uniform consistency. Alternatively, transfer in small batches to a stand blender, processing with calculated precision.
- Return the smooth liquid to gentle heat, introducing luxurious heavy cream and freshly grated parmesan cheese.
- Allow the soup to reach a delicate simmer, tasting and adjusting seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Remove from heat, letting the final moments meld the flavors. Serve immediately, adorned with additional parmesan and delicate basil leaves as a vibrant garnish.
Notes
- Achieve a silky smooth texture by carefully blending hot soup, using either an immersion blender or transferring to a stand blender in batches.
- Low and slow cooking develops rich, deep flavors, allowing onions to caramelize and tomatoes to release their natural sweetness.
- Choose high-quality unsalted butter and fresh basil for an elevated taste profile that transforms this simple soup into a gourmet experience.
- Control the soup’s consistency by adjusting liquid amounts; more stock creates a thinner soup, while less results in a heartier texture.
- Parmesan cheese adds a salty, nutty depth that complements the bright tomato and herbal basil notes, creating a balanced and complex flavor.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, maintaining creaminess while reducing overall richness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg