Roasted Tomato Basil Soup

I don't know where summer went, but this weekend is definitely feeling like fall. It's so funny though, the leaves have not even started changing colors yet which is super late. So even though it feels like fall, it has yet to look like fall, a very strange combination. I'm not quite ready for the cool weather to start moving in, I want to eek out every last drop of summer that I can. Pining for summer, but dressing for fall, this soup is the perfect way to get the best of both worlds. A creamy and comforting tomato soup using fresh, perfectly ripe tomatoes from the farmers market and basil straight from the garden. It's pure summer in a bowl, yet warming enough to fight off the beginning of autumn chill that has decided to drop by, a winning combination. 

Before making this soup, I looked at a few different tomato soup recipes and then I put together my favorite parts of all of them, using what I had on hand. Tomato soup is so easy to make, and it is so delicious. If you've never had homemade tomato soup, and have only ever suffered through a bowl from a can, you don't know what you're missing. I used to think I didn't like tomato soup. Then I discovered that I just don't like canned tomato soup. Homemade is infinitesimally better, it isn't even comparable to the stuff out of a can. And while I used fresh tomatoes, canned tomatoes make a pretty good soup too, so in the middle of winter you can still whip up a batch. So if you've never tried making your own tomato soup, I urge to to give it a try, it is so easy and so worth it. 

Roasted Tomato Basil Soup

From Delectably Mine

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds tomatoes
  • 1/2 medium onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • Olive oil
  • 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1-2 tablespoon sour cream to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
  • pinch sugar
  • pinch red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon chopped basil, plus more to garnish

Directions

Cut tomatoes in half or in quarters and place on a baking sheet lined with foil. Add the onion and garlic cloves. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast for 20-30 minutes at 450 degrees. 

Once vegetables are roasted, transfer to a small sauce pot and add the stock. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Return pot to heat and add the salt, sour cream, lemon juice, sugar, red pepper flakes and basil. Let soup simmer for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Serve, garnishing with more basil and parmesan cheese, or more sour cream. 

Pasta with Tomato and Peas

I never used to be a big pea fan. It wasn't the taste that turned me off so much as the visual appeal (or lack thereof in my opinion). However, in the past couple of years I've changed my mind about this little vegetable. I don't know what happened, but now I really like to put peas in different dishes.

This pasta dish (with peas) is one of my favorites. My sister and I have made it many times in the last couple of years. We almost always have the ingredients on hand, and it's easy to improvise if we're missing one or two things. It's quick, easy and healthy, three of my favorite things.

The finished dish in the early spring evening light. I am so glad daylight savings has begun again!

 Linguine, one of my favorite pastas (but then again, I pretty much like all pasta shapes)

The flavor players: fresh oregano, fresh parsley, carrots, onion and garlic

Not the most beautiful picture, but you get the point, a delicious mixture, ready to dress the pasta. 

Finished, topped with a sprinkle of freshly grated Pecorino Romano, yum!

A close up of all the deliciousness!


Here's the original recipe, I didn't follow it exactly this time, but it doesn't really matter. That's what I love about pasta, it's easy to improvise.

Pasta with Tomato and Peas
From Giada De Laurentiis
Ingredients
  • 1 pound linguine 
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 
  • 3 shallots, chopped 
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced 
  • 1 carrot diced 
  • 1 teaspoon salt 
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 
  • 5 tablespoons tomato paste 
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme 
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley 
  • 1 1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed 
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan 
  • 1/4 cup grated Romano 
Directions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 2 cups of the pasta water.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Add the shallots, garlic, carrots, salt, and pepper. Cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Add the tomato paste and 1/2 cup of the hot pasta water. Stir to melt the tomato paste and create a sauce, adding more pasta water if necessary. Stir in the oregano, thyme, and parsley. Gently fold in the cooked pasta, peas, and the cheeses, adding more reserved pasta water if necessary. Transfer to a platter and serve immediately.