Tomato basil soup

Tomato soup is always one of my favourite soup.Fresh basil leaves added the taste for the soup.The secret to the richness of this soup is fresh basil leaves.As my kids always want something different I tried this soup recently.Everyone liked it.This soup is a comfort food as its best.It may be smooth in texture or include chuncks of tomato.I had the soup like that without blending  it.But I make it into smooth puree with blender for my kids.

Ingredients:

• Tomatoes 4 to 5
• Basil leaves 1 cup (finely chopped)
• Olive oil 2 Tspn
• Vegetable broth 28 oz(small can)
• 1/2 cup of minced onions
• 3 garlic pods finely chopped
• Fresh cream 1tbspn
• water 1/2 cup (optional)
• Pepper to taste
• Salt to taste

Procedure :

• cut the tomatoes on top like plus shape( for peeling easily).Cook them in boiling water for 2 mins to peel the skin.Strain the water and keep aside.Now chop the tomatoes into small pieces.
•  Heat olive oil in a pot,add minced onions.cook the onions,stirring occasionally,until soft,and starting to turn golden brown.about 5 to 10 mins.
• Add the garlic and cook for 2 more mins stirring to avoid burning the garlic.
• Add chopped tomatoes ,salt and  freshly ground pepper .I prefer adding more pepper which enhances the taste.
• Now add vegetable broth.cover the lid and simmer the stove.(I Prefer adding 1/2 cup of water too)
• Let it boil in the simmer until the quantity reduces half,  around 30 mins.
• Now add basil leaves let it cook 10 more mins.
• Transfer soup to a blender( or use an immersible hand blender) and blend until smooth.
• Return to the pot and bring it to boil few mins...Reduce heat to low.
• Add  1 tbsn of  heavy cream to the soup.(optional)
• Yummy  basil tomato soup is ready.

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