Tomato Soup

Homemade tomato soup is a classic comfort food that's both delicious and easy to make.

Here's a simple recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

- 2 tablespoons olive oil

- 1 medium onion, chopped

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 can (28 ounces) whole peeled tomatoes, with juices

- 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth

- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)

- Salt and pepper to taste

- 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional, for added richness)

- Fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

2. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

3. Pour in the canned tomatoes with their juices, breaking them up with a spoon if they are whole. Stir in the vegetable or chicken broth.

4. Bring the soup to a simmer and let it cook for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

5. Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth. Alternatively, you can carefully transfer the soup in batches to a blender and blend until smooth, then return it to the pot.

6. If the soup is too acidic, add sugar to taste to balance the flavors. Season with salt and pepper as needed.

7. If using, stir in the heavy cream to add richness to the soup. Let it simmer for a few more minutes.

8. Serve the tomato soup hot, garnished with chopped fresh basil leaves.

You can also customize this recipe by adding other ingredients such as roasted red peppers, butternut squash, carrots, or fresh herbs like thyme or oregano. Enjoy your homemade tomato soup!