Ingredients:
For the Tomato Soup:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 carrot, chopped
2 cans (28 oz each) whole peeled tomatoes
4 cups vegetable broth
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil, for garnish
For the Cheese and Onion Toast:
4 slices of crusty bread
2 tbsp butter, softened
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
PREPARATION:
Prepare the Tomato Soup:
Sauté Vegetables:
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and chopped carrot. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Add Tomato Base:
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Add the whole peeled tomatoes (with their juice), vegetable broth, sugar, dried basil, and dried oregano. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Simmer:
Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes.
Blend:
Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth, or blend in batches using a regular blender.
Season:
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep warm on low heat.
Prepare the Cheese and Onion Toast:
Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven’s broiler or a toaster oven.
Prepare Toast:
Spread the softened butter on one side of each slice of bread.
Place the buttered slices on a baking sheet, buttered side up. Top with thinly sliced onion, then sprinkle with shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.
Broil:
Broil until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 3-5 minutes. Watch closely to avoid burning.
Serve:
Serve Soup:
Ladle the hot soup into bowls.
Serve each bowl with a slice of cheese and onion toast.
Garnish:
Garnish the soup with fresh basil leaves.
Nutrition Information (per serving):
Tomato Soup:
Calories: 160
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 690mg
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 5g
Sugars: 10g
Protein: 4g
Cheese and Onion Toast (per slice):
Calories: 330
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 50mg
Sodium: 550mg
Carbohydrates: 26g
Fiber: 2g
Sugars: 5g
Protein: 14g
Total for a bowl of soup with one slice of toast:
Calories: 490
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Cholesterol: 50mg
Sodium: 1240mg
Carbohydrates: 48g
Fiber: 7g
Sugars: 15g
Protein: 18g
Enjoy this delicious and comforting mea