Tomato Basil Soup

Last night was a very sad night in our household. My George Foreman grill died.... =( I think I've had that thing since college. We laid it to rest last night with a final salute to all the grease it saved our bodies. Rest in Peace George Foreman Grill. 

On to happier topics...

Gosh I sure hope we are on our last cold front for the year. I was hoping to get some sun on my pasty white legs this past weekend but that did not work out. Since it was cooler we decided to do some yard work instead. Coincidentally I was planning on making soup. Not to mention I had some strong suggestions and pleas to make my tomato basil soup. I warn you, this is a weekend recipe and makes great leftovers. It is also worth every minute you spend making it, I promise.



Tomato Basil Soup

• 2 (14oz) cans diced tomatoes with juice
• 1 1/2 cup finely diced celery (preferably pureed in food processor)
• 1 1/2 cup finely diced carrots (preferably pureed in food processor)
• 1 1/2 cup finely diced onion (preferably pureed in food processor)
• 2 Tbs dried oragano
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 stick butter
• 1 cup greated parmesean
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• salt and pepper to taste

1. Combine tomatoes, celery, carrots, onion, chicken broth, oragano, basil, and bay leaf in slow cooker.
2. Cook for 5-6 hours. 
3. Optional: For creamy, smooth soup you can insert a stick blender and blend/puree the contents so they are smooth (not lumpy).  You could also put contents in food processor and blend too. 
4. Make roux. Melt butter in skillet on the stove. Whisk in flour and cook for about 5 minutes.
5. Then grab a cup or so of soup out of the slow cooker and whisk into skillet until smooth. Do the same with about 2 - 3 cups more until smooth.
6. Now you will add this skillet mixture back into your slow cooker. Whisk into the slow cooker soup until smooth and blended well. 
7. Stir in Parmesan cheese, heavy whipping cream, and salt and pepper. 
8. Cover and cook for another 30min-1 hour. 
9. Serve with salad, hot bread, or maybe just a warm blankie on the couch! 

Yields: 4-6 depending on how hungry you are