Fresh Tomato Soup with Basil

This soup is extra-delicious when made during July to September, when our sweet, deep red tomatoes are abundant. Confronted with such a taste sensation, no one can fail to appreciate that the virtues of eating locally and seasonally go far beyond the realm of economics–and enter a domain where ecology and gastronomy coincide.

The addition of sun-ripened tomatoes adds a hint of Mediterranean sunshine, and is especially important when you are resorting to using tomatoes of the more jet-lagged variety. We often serve up this soup with tomato focaccia or olive bread and brie.

To serve 6-8
2-3 onions chopped
1 medium carrot, rough chopped
1 smallish potato, rough chopped
1 1/2 lb. tomatoes, quartered
2-3 bay leaves
1/2 oz. sun-dried tomatoes
2 sticks celery, chopped
1-2 tsp. vegetable stock powder
1-2 cloves garlic
2 tbs. freshly chopped basil or 1-2 tsp. dried basil
10 oz. milk (optional) and/or 4-5 oz. cream

1. Saute onion, garlic, carrot and celery in a little olive oil for about 5 minutes until it gets soft. If using dried basil, add it now. Then add potato and saute a little more. As soon as the potatoes begin to stick it is time to add the tomatoes, bay leaves an sun-dried tomatoes. Also add enough water/stock to just cover tomatoes. Simmer for half an hour, or until all vegetables are tender.

2. Fish out the bay leaves. Blend. Add more water and enough cream or milk to give desired consistency. Season to taste. Do not boil once cream is added. (This soup is also very good without milk or cream–just add more water/stock.)

3. If fresh basil is available, roughly chop. Stir some into the soup and use the rest as a garnish.

Read more: Food, All recipes, Soups & Salads

Adapted from Gaia's Kitchen,by Julia Ponsonby..Copyright (c)2001 by The Dartington Hall Trust. Reprinted by permission of Chelsea Green Publishing Company.
Adapted from Gaia's Kitchen,by Julia Ponsonby.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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J.L. A.

7:25AM PDT on Apr 24, 2012

yum

send a green star

Teresa W.

4:29AM PDT on Apr 20, 2012

thank you

Robert O.

1:22PM PDT on Sep 1, 2011

Thanks Annie. Sounds good.

Susana L.

5:13AM PDT on Jun 13, 2011

Thanlks

KrassiAWAY B.

3:11AM PDT on May 14, 2011

Noted with interest, thank you Annie.

DobieMax W.

10:44AM PDT on May 12, 2011

Noted

Beth M.

8:30AM PDT on May 12, 2011

Going to try this.

criss S.

8:25AM PDT on May 12, 2011

Thank you for the article

Maureen D.

6:01AM PDT on Jul 14, 2010

Thanks Annie - I've never made tomato soup before, so did a search. I'm just off to make it now. Not long been a member of this site and I'm impressed with all the information from like-minded people. Thank you. M

Past Member .

12:55PM PDT on Jul 1, 2010

thanks