Basil Tomato Soup

Serves: 4-6
15 Minutes

The perfect comfort food for a cold day.

Warm and wonderful on it's own, this soup is also the perfect base to load up with the perfect toppings.  For a family meals, create a tomato soup buffet and let everyone add in their own favorites.

• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 1 small onion, cut up (2 Tbsp dry onion)
• 1 clove garlic, crushed (1/4-1/2 tsp dry garlic)
• 2 Tbsp. flour
• 2 15 oz cans canned tomatoes  (or one quart)
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 3 cups water
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped  (or 1/2 tbsp. dry basil)
• 1/4 cup fresh oregano, chopped (1/2 tbsp. dry oregano)
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes

1. Melt butter in 3-quart sauce pan over medium heat.  Add onion and garlic and cook for a few minutes until tender. (If using dry onion and garlic add with flour.)  
2. Add flour and stir until smooth.  Let cook until bubbly.  
3. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, basil, oregano, salt and pepper.  
4. Let simmer 5 minutes (or until desired), and serve.
5. Serve with toppings or sides of your choice:  

garlic bread
breadsticks
crackers

cheese

quesadillas

homemade croutons
fresh pretzels

pasta, cooked

rice, cooked

vegetables -peas, carrots, broccoli, or corn, etc., cooked

green onions
italian sausage, cooked and crumbled

bacon, cooked and crumbled

onions, diced
pico
sour cream
Parmesan cheese