Hearty Tomato Soup

By abrielanne

Ingredients

• 2 T olive oil
• 1 yellow or white onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 pounds tomatoes, de-seeded, chopped
• 1/4 t red pepper flakes
• 1 T brown sugar
• 1/2 t thyme, dried
• 4 oz. bread, crust removed (about 4 small slices)
• 12 oz chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 T balsamic vinegar
• black pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup croutons (optional)
• 2 T blue cheese crumbles (optional)

Preparation

Step 1

Heat oil in a stock pot or tall saucepan. Add onion and garlic; saute for 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and stir to combine. Add pepper, sugar, thyme and bread to mixture; cook for 3 minutes.

With an immersion blender or food processor, blend the mixture. If using an immersion blender, take care not to splatter tomatoes all over yourself! (This is why you need a tall pan.)

Slowly add stock to mixture and combine. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add vinegar during last two minutes.