The Best Tomato Soup Recipes

Steps:

• In a 6-quart stockpot or Dutch oven, heat oil, butter and pepper flakes over medium heat until butter is melted. Add carrots and onion; cook, uncovered, over medium heat, stirring frequently, until vegetables are softened, 8-10 minutes. Add garlic and dried basil; cook and stir 1 minute longer. Stir in tomatoes, chicken stock, tomato paste, sugar, salt and pepper; mix well. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, to let flavors blend, 20-25 minutes. , Remove pan from heat. Using a blender, puree soup in batches until smooth. If desired, slowly stir in heavy cream, stirring continuously to incorporate; return to stove to heat through. Top servings with fresh basil if desired.

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Add the celery, onions, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are softened but not browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in the crushed tomatoes. Add the broth and thyme leaves. Cover and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour.
• Let the hot soup cool for about 5 minutes or so, then transfer half of it to a blender filling no more than halfway. Add 2 tablespoons of the butter. Remove the center cap from the lid and place it on the blender. Cover the lid with a kitchen towel to catch splatters, and pulse until smooth. Pour into a clean pot or container. Repeat with the remaining soup and butter. Season with salt and pepper.
• Ladle the soup into bowls and drizzle with more oil before serving.

Steps:

• To begin, dice the onion. Melt the butter in a large pot or Dutch oven. Throw in the onion and cook until translucent.
• Now dump in the diced tomatoes and stir to combine. Add the tomato juice.
• Next - and this is important - in order to combat the acidity of the tomatoes add 3 to 6 tablespoons of sugar. Now, you'll want to start on the low side, then taste and add more as needed. Some tomatoes and juice have more of an acidic bite than others. (For what it's worth, and I realize it's not worth much, I use 6 tablespoons of sugar.)
• Next, add 1 or 2 tablespoons chicken base to the pot. I added 3, and it wound up being a little too much.
• Now you can add lots of freshly ground black pepper. Stir to combine, then heat almost to a boil. Then turn off the heat.
• Add in the sherry if desired. Stir in the cream. Add the basil and parsley and stir.
• Serve the soup warm!