Tomato, Leek, and Basil Soup

After sharing the recipes for the Chocolate Budino and the Caramel de Lite Cookie Bars, I thought I should post something savory and nutritious. With a chill lingering in the late weeks of winter, I figured that a soup would fit the bill. 

Tomato soup is like macaroni and cheese; you just can’t have too many recipes. There is cream of tomato, tomato and rice, tomato and bread, tomato bisque–the list goes on. This recipe is one that I haven’t made in a while. It is also one of those that I need to write down before I forget the recipe.

I like this soup thick and chunky, but you can thin it out with more chicken broth or purée it a little more for a smoother texture. Served with some crusty bread and a dollop of Crème Fraîche, this is a comforting bowl for a chilly night or rainy afternoon.

Tomato, Leek, and Basil Soup

By Nicole Prep: 10 minsCook: 40 minsTotal: 50 mins Servings: 6 This is one comforting bowl of goodness!

Equipment

• Immersion blender

Ingredients 

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 large leeks, rinsed and slice into ¼-inch half moons
• 3 medium stalks of celery, cut into ¼-inch slices
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 (28 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes
• kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Accompaniments

• Crème fraîche

Instructions 

1. In a large stock pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. When the foaming subsides, add the leeks and celery and season with a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring frequently until the vegetables have softened, but not browned, about 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes and their juice and stir, breaking up the tomatoes with a wooden spoon. Add the basil and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook until the tomatoes have softened, about 25-30 minutes. Using a hand-held blender, purée the soup until desired consistency is met. Alternately, you can purée the soup in a food processor or blender in batches. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with a dollop of crème fraîche. Enjoy!

Notes

Nutritional values do not include crème fraîche.

Nutrition

Calories: 96kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 16mg, Sodium: 357mg, Potassium: 365mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 915IU, Vitamin C: 16mg, Calcium: 72mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.