A perfect and easy meal in between seasons is soup. Why? Because soup gives you the opportunity to use the last bit of vegetables from the previous season. Since we are in between summer and fall, great tomatoes are still easily accessible in grocery stores and farmers markets. This recipe for Roasted Tomato and Basil Soup from Ina Garten, is simple to make and delicious. All of Ina Garten’s recipes taste great and for the most part are easy to make. Using simple and high quality ingredients, her recipes never disappoint. Serve this with a fresh salad or a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich, and you’ll have the perfect meal.
Ingredients:
3 pounds ripe plum tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons good olive oil
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 cups chopped yellow onions (2 onions)
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 (28-ounce) canned plum tomatoes, with their juice
4 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1 quart chicken stock or water
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Toss together the tomatoes, 1/4 cup olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread the tomatoes in 1 layer on a baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes.
- In an 8-quart stockpot over medium heat, sauté the onions and garlic with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the butter, and red pepper flakes for 10 minutes, until the onions start to brown. Add the canned tomatoes, basil, thyme, and chicken stock. Add the oven-roasted tomatoes, including the liquid on the baking sheet. Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered for 40 minutes. Pass through a food mill fitted with the coarsest blade. Taste for seasonings. Serve hot or cold.
