Heirloom Tomato-Basil Soup

Prep Time: 30m | Cook Time: 30m | Total Time: 1h | Serves

The flavor of a fresh, ripe tomato is an inimitable delight. This soup so perfectly captures that flavor that it may well become your go-to soup of summer, when great tomatoes are available in abundance.

This soup makes a delicious and satisfying lunch or light dinner when paired with a sandwich (grilled cheese is our traditional favorite) or a tossed green salad. For a silky, elegant appetizer version, add a splash of cream just before serving.

Ingredients

3 pounds ripe heirloom tomatoes (cut into chunks, about 6 cups)
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups leeks (white part only, rinsed and chopped)
3 teaspoons Earthbound Farm Crushed Roasted Garlic Organic Purée
4 cups vegetable broth
3 tablespoons Earthbound Farm Chopped Fresh Basil Organic Herb Purée
1 tablespoon Kosher salt (or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)

Directions

Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. When the oil is hot, sauté the leeks, stirring regularly, until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic purée and tomatoes, and stir well. Add the broth and basil purée, stirring well to combine. Cover the pot and simmer until the tomatoes have fallen apart, about 20 minutes.

Carefully transfer the soup to a blender (do this in batches, and hold the lid tightly to prevent spattering) and purée until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serve hot or cold.

Variation: Heirloom Tomato-Ginger Soup
Replace the Basil Purée above with the same measure of Earthbound Farm Crushed Fresh Ginger Organic Herb Purée for an Asian-inspired flavor twist.