Description
Tomato Basil Bliss Soup celebrates garden-fresh ingredients dancing together in perfect harmony. Italian-inspired comfort arrives with rich tomato depths and fragrant basil, inviting you to savor each spoonful of pure culinary joy.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 2.5 pounds (1.13 kilograms) roma tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- ⅓ cup (53 grams) chopped carrots
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
Liquid and Oils:
- 3 cups (710 milliliters) vegetable broth
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) balsamic vinegar
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- Sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 loosely packed cup (15 grams) fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal roasting.
- Arrange whole tomatoes on the prepared baking sheet with their cut sides facing upward, generously drizzle with of olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Roast the seasoned tomatoes in the preheated oven for approximately 60 minutes until they caramelize and develop deep, rich flavors.
- While tomatoes are roasting, heat the remaining olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, then gently sauté chopped onions, diced carrots, minced garlic, and add ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) of salt until vegetables become tender and translucent.
- Transfer the roasted tomatoes into the pot with the softened vegetables, then pour in vegetable broth, balsamic vinegar, and fresh thyme leaves.
- Simmer the mixture on low heat for 20 minutes, allowing the ingredients to meld and develop a complex flavor profile.
- Remove the pot from heat and let the soup cool slightly to prevent potential splashing during blending.
- Using a blender, purée the soup in batches until achieving a smooth, velvety consistency.
- Gently fold in fresh basil leaves during the final moments of blending to preserve their aromatic essence.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Ladle the soup into serving bowls and garnish with extra fresh basil leaves for a vibrant presentation.
Notes
- Roasting tomatoes intensifies their natural sweetness and depth, creating a rich foundational flavor for this comforting soup.
- Slow-cooking vegetables helps develop a complex, layered taste profile that elevates the entire dish from ordinary to extraordinary.
- Blending in batches ensures a silky smooth texture without overwhelming the blender or losing essential flavors.
- Fresh basil added at the end preserves its vibrant color and aromatic essence, providing a bright contrast to the deep, roasted notes.
- Balsamic vinegar adds a subtle tangy complexity that balances the sweetness of the roasted tomatoes and brings sophisticated depth to each spoonful.
- Serving with extra fresh basil leaves creates a beautiful visual garnish that signals the soup’s fresh, homemade quality.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg