Ingredients
Method
- Sauté aromatics: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until soft and translucent,about 6–8 minutes.
- Add garlic & tomato paste: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add tomato paste and cook until it darkens slightly,this unlocks its full umami potential.
- Simmer the tomatoes: Add chopped tomatoes, thyme, sugar, salt, pepper, and broth. Bring to a simmer and let it bubble gently for 25 minutes, uncovered.
- Blend until silky: Use an immersion blender right in the pot or transfer to a high-speed blender in batches. Blend until luxuriously smooth.
- Finish & serve: Stir in cream (if using) and fresh basil. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with toasted sourdough or grilled cheese soldiers.
Notes
- Time Is Your Silent Sous-Chef: In this soup, patience isn’t optional,it’s the main technique. As the tomatoes gently simmer, their acidity mellows, their sugars concentrate, and their body thickens naturally. No need for cornstarch or flour; just let heat and time transform raw fruit into velvety gold.
- The Onion-Garlic Ballet: Aromatics aren’t just background singers,they lead the opening act. By sautéing onions low and slow until they glisten, and adding garlic only once they soften, you build a flavor base that’s both sweet and savory, never sharp or burnt. It’s a dance of timing, not tossing.
- The Heat Spectrum Rule: Each layer of this soup responds differently to temperature. Tomato paste loves a quick sizzle to deepen its profile, but basil and cream demand a whisper of warmth. Understanding when to crank the flame or cut the heat,that’s what turns basic into brilliant.
- Purée with Purpose: Blending isn’t just about smoothness,it’s about structure. The ideal texture here is silky but not soupy. Control your blend time and pulse with intent. A few seconds too long, and you lose the mouthfeel that makes homemade stand apart from canned.
- Acid Is the Finisher, Not the Star: A touch of vinegar, lemon juice, or even balsamic,added at the end,shouldn’t scream, it should sing in harmony. This brightness is your final brushstroke, the small detail that turns a good soup into a memorable one.