Tomato Basil Soup Recipe - Cooking With Basil

When the days start getting shorter and the growing season is coming to an end, it's the perfect time to make this tomato basil soup recipe. Enjoy the bounty of your harvest now and wow your friends and family with this wonderful soup. Add some yummy rolls and maybe a salad and your all set.

Before you start, be sure the herbs are clean and dry. One way to do this is to water them early in the morning and let them air dry until about mid morning. Harvesting herbs before the mid-day heat allows the plant to retain the essential oils which is what makes them taste so good. Another way to harvest your basil as suggested by Phyliss Shaudy in her book, Herbal Treasures, is to pick a warm breezy day and place two or three bowls of tepid water in the area you are going to work. Harvest the herbs and swish them in the bowls of water and shake off as much water as possible. Then, place the herbs between layers of white paper towels and allow them to air dry outside for 2 or 3 hours. Be sure to change the toweling once or twice. To speed up the process, de-stem their foliage and pat dry the leaves frequently.

Tomato Basil Soup Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons olive oil


• 2 garlic cloves, minced


• 3 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth


• 1/2 teaspoon salt


• 3 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes, un-drained


• 2 cups fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced (I used sweet basil)


• Basil or parsley leaves (optional for garnish)

Preparation

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic; cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Stir in the broth, salt, and tomatoes; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 20 minutes. Stir in basil.
Place half of the soup in a blender; process until smooth. Pour pureed soup into a bowl, and repeat procedure with remaining soup. Garnish with basil or parsley leaves, if desired.

Cooking with basil, especially if you grew it yourself, is wonderfully satisfying. There are so many recipes to try and over 150 varieties of basil worldwide. Pick your favorite to experiment with.