Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

This tomato basil soup is a delicious blend of tangy tomatoes, roasted garlic, honey, and fresh herbs. It's creamy and comforting, and it goes perfectly with a gooey grilled cheese sandwich.

Ingredients: •1 stick of butter

•1 yellow onion, finely chopped

•2 bulbs roasted garlic (see below for roasting instructions)

•1/4 cup all-purpose flour

•2 cans (28 ounces each) diced tomatoes

•1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons chicken or vegetable broth

•Salt and pepper to taste

•1 tsp dried thyme

•Crushed red pepper flakes (to taste)

•1 cup half-and-half

•3 TB honey

•1 large handful of fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced into ribbons

•1 TB fresh thyme, chopped

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice off the top of each garlic bulb to expose the cloves. Wrap the garlic bulbs in foil with a drizzle of olive oil and roast for 40-50 minutes until soft and golden. Squeeze out the roasted garlic and set aside. 2. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent.

3. Stir in roasted garlic and sprinkle with flour, stirring until it's slightly thickened and pale. 4. Add diced tomatoes with their juices to the pot. Pour in chicken or vegetable broth.

5. Season with salt, pepper, dried thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes. Simmer on low heat for 25 minutes, stirring often.

6. Stir in half-and-half, honey, fresh thyme, and sliced basil. Simmer an additional 5 minutes.

7. Remove from heat and blend the soup until smooth using a hand blender or cool and use a stand blender.

8. Ladle into bowls, garnish with additional basil if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your creamy tomato basil soup!

6 servings