Tomato Basil Soup Recipe: An Easy Winter Meal

At last weekend's L.A. style+photo workshop, I whipped up a quick batch of this cream of tomato basil soup for our attendees. They were able to capture the cooking process and style their bowls, too. After all, the best part of a food photoshoot is actually eating the food.This tomato basil soup pairs wonderfully with a grilled cheese. At the workshop we made grilled cheeses with fig and prosciutto, but any sort of grilled cheese would be perfect. Use whatever is in your fridge and embrace an opportunity to be creative with it! There's no such thing as a bad grilled cheese.I love soup during chilly months, and since according to the groundhog, there is still a lot of winter ahead of us, store this recipe in your arsenal to pull out when you need a quick and easy lunch or dinner.

Cream of Tomato Basil Soup

Serves 8

You will need:

- 1/2 medium onion sliced thin

- 3 tablespoons butter

- 2 tablespoons olive oil

- 1 teaspoon salt

 - 1/2 teaspoon pepper

- 2  28 oz. cans crushed tomatoes

- 4 cups vegetable stock

- 1 cup heavy cream

- 1 cup fresh basil chopped

To prepare:

In a large stock pot, heat butter and oil, add onions, salt and pepper.

Sauté until onions are lightly caramelized. Add tomatoes, vegetable stock, cream and basil. Simmer for 45 minutes. Garnish with basil. Serve warm.

Note: The soup may be made creamy by placing it in a blender or using a hand blender if desired. I personally like it a little chunky.

Enjoy!

xx, Annette