Tomato Basil Soup with Garlic Bread

 

Tomato Basil Soup:

Ingredients:

• 1 kg of fresh tomatoes
•  2 tablespoons olive oil
•  1 medium  onion, finely chopped
•  4 garlic cloves, minced
•  1 cup of vegetables stock (optional)
•  1/2 tsp red chilli flakes 
•  Salt and pepper
•  A handful of fresh basil leaves 
•  1/4 cup heavy cream 

Instructions:

1. Sauté the Aromatics:   
• Take a large pot and heat the olive oil  on medium heat.
•  Add the chopped onion and stir until it is soft . 
• Then stir in chopped garlic and chilli flakes, cook for extra minutes until aromatic.
2. Make soup:  
• Now, add the chopped tomatoes to the pot with a vegetable broth. 
• Stir to combine the mixture, then add salt and pepper. Let it simmer slowly  cook for about 20-25 minutes.
3. Mix to perfection:  
• Take a blender . blend until in liquid form, then put the soup back  to the pot.
•  If you choose the creamier version, stir in heavy cream at this time and stir it gently.
4. Finish with basil leaves:  
• Add some torned fresh basil leaves in the soup and allow the soup to rest for 3-5 minutes for the herbaceous flavored dish.
•  Taste and adjust the seasoning as required.

 Garlic Bread:

Ingredients:

•  1  favorite crusty bread, sliced
•  4 tablespoons unsalted butter, soft
•  3 garlic cloves, finely minced
•  1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped 
•  A pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Prepare garlic butter:  
• Take a  small bowl, mix together soft butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley and salt. Mix well until all the above items are mixed properly.
2. Spread and toast:  
• Place pieces of bread on the baking tray. Spread the garlic butter on each piece generously. Toast until the edge of the  bread becomes golden and crispy . 

 Serving Suggestion:

Serve the tomato basil soup in a bowl and garnish with a few torn basil leaves. Serve with some pieces of garlic bread for a whole, heartwarming meal.