Big Lou's Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Ingredients

• 4 cups ripe tomatoes
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• to taste salt
• to taste black pepper
• 2 slices crusty bread(optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat (2 minutes). Add diced onion and minced garlic, sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes.

2. 2

   Add chopped tomatoes and vegetable broth, bring to a gentle boil (3 minutes), then reduce heat and simmer for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. 3

   Remove the pot from heat and blend the soup until smooth using an immersion blender or countertop blender (2 minutes).

4. 4

   Stir in heavy cream and fresh basil, season with salt and pepper, and warm for another 2 minutes.

5. 5

   Serve hot with optional crusty bread on the side.