Carrot and tomato soup with fresh basil

 

Comfort food.

My all time favorite soup!

Ingredients

1 can diced tomatoes or 4 fresh tomatoes

4-5 carrots diced

1 large onion chopped

3-4 garlic

1tsp grated ginger

4-5 fresh basil leaves

1tsp Italian seasoning (herbs de Provence)

3 cups vegetable stock

2 bay leaves

1 small cinnamon stick

2 tbsp brown sugar(or as needed)

salt and pepper to taste

olive oil to cook

butter for taste

Method

Heat some olive oil and add the onion, garlic, bay leaf and cinnamon. Cook for about 1-2 minutes then add the diced carrots, salt, and dried herbs. Cook for a little while then add the tomatoes and stock.(If using fresh tomatoes, 1/4 cup of tomato paste is require to get the right consistency and color).  Cover and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes. Add sugar  and basil leaves and check for seasonings. Now puree the soup using a blender till smooth. I use the immersion hand blender as it is easy and I can  blend the  soup in the pot. Add more water if needed. Top with freshly ground pepper and butter.