Homemade Tomato Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup heavy cream
• Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
3. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and broth. Stir in the sugar, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
4. Reduce heat to low and let the soup simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
5. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Alternatively, carefully transfer the soup in batches to a regular blender and blend until smooth.
6. Stir in the heavy cream and heat through for another 2-3 minutes. Do not let it boil after adding the cream.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil if desired.