Locally grown tomatoes in this soup will really hit the spot
Ingredients:
2 ½ lbs tomatoes, fresh or canned
6 cloves garlic, peeled
2 small yellow onions, sliced
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 qt chicken stock
2 bay leaves
4 Tbsp butter
½ cup chopped fresh basil leaves, optional
Vine cherry tomatoes for garnish, optional
¾ cup heavy cream, optional
Directions:
Preheat oven to 450 F.
Wash, core and cut tomatoes into halves. Spread tomatoes, garlic cloves and onions onto a baking tray. If using vine cherry tomatoes for garnish, add them as well, leaving them whole and on the vine. Drizzle with ½ cup of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 to 30 minutes, or until caramelized.
Remove roasted tomatoes, garlic and onion from oven and transfer to a large stock pot (set aside the roasted vine tomatoes for later). Add ¾ of the chicken stock, bay leaves, and butter. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until liquid has reduced by a third.
Wash and dry basil leaves, if using, and add to the pot. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Return soup to low heat, add cream, if using, and adjust consistency with remaining chicken stock, if necessary. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Garnish in bowl with 3 or 4 roasted vine cherry tomatoes and a splash of heavy cream
Yield: 4 to 6 servings. Recipe by Tyler Florence