Homemade Tomato Basil Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1 large sweet yellow onion, chopped
• 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 3 celery ribs, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 28 oz cans organic whole tomatoes
• 16 oz chicken broth
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/8 tsp baking soda
• 1 c heavy cream
• 7 large fresh basil leaves

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat a large pot over medium/low heat.

2. 2

   Add the olive oil, butter, onions, carrots, celery...: Add the olive oil, butter, onions, carrots, celery and pinch of salt. Saute for 5 minutes then add the minced garlic and saute another 3 minutes.

3. 3

   To this add the cans of whole tomatoes,...: To this add the cans of whole tomatoes, broth, salt, pepper and baking soda. Stir. *Optionally add in a parmigiano reggiano cheese rind while the soup simmers for added flavor.

4. 4

   Simmer on low, covered, for 3 hours. At...: Simmer on low, covered, for 3 hours. At no point should the soup be rapidly boiling, it should be a very low simmer. If it's getting too wild, try switching to a smaller burner or turn the heat off momentarily. Stir every 30 minutes.

5. 5

   Turn the heat off and add the fresh...: Turn the heat off and add the fresh basil.

6. 6

   Use an immersion blender to smooth out the...: Use an immersion blender to smooth out the soup to your preference.

7. 7

   Stir in the heavy cream.

8. 8

   Serve with a grilled cheese!