Tomato Soup

With Homemade Croutons

Print Recipe

One of the best-kept chef secrets to hosting the most memorable at-home parties is keeping the food simple and adding small details to make it special. Try this comforting creamy tomato soup—adding the homemade croutons makes it extra special.

Ingredients

4 tomatoes

3 grilled red bell peppers in oil

1 shallot

½ cup extra virgin olive oil, plus additional for brushing on bread

3 tablespoons sherry vinegar

1 clove garlic

18 basil leaves, divided

Salt, to taste

Pepper, to taste

4 slices crusty bread

Directions

Cut small cross in bottom of tomatoes and submerge in boiling water 30 seconds. Let tomatoes cool in ice water 30 seconds then remove skins.
In blender, blend tomatoes, red bell peppers, shallot, extra-virgin olive oil, vinegar, garlic, 10 basil leaves, and salt and pepper until mixture is smooth. Add mixture to large pot and heat, stirring frequently.
For croutons, cut bread into 2-inch slices (roughly), brush with olive oil and grill 2 minutes per side over medium-high heat until visible grill marks have formed.
Garnish soup with remaining basil leaves and serve with croutons.