Roasted Tomato Soup

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 lbs fresh tomatoes
• 6 cloves garlic, peeled
• 2 small yellow onions, sliced
• 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 tbsps butter
• 8 tbsp basil
• 3/4 cup fat free cream
• 12 vine cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground pepper

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 450 °F (220 °C).
2. Wash, core and cut the fresh tomatoes (mix of heirlooms, cherry, vine and plum tomatoes) into halves.
3. Spread the tomatoes, garlic cloves and onions onto a baking tray. If using vine cherry tomatoes for garnish, add them as well, leaving them whole and on the vine.
4. Drizzle with 1/2 cup of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 to 30 minutes, or until caramelized.
5. Remove roasted tomatoes, garlic and onion from the oven and transfer to a large stock pot (set aside the roasted vine tomatoes for later).
6. Add 3/4 of the chicken stock, bay leaves, and butter. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until liquid has reduced by a third.
7. Wash and dry basil leaves (optional), and add to the pot. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth.
8. Return soup to low heat, add cream and adjust consistency with remaining chicken stock, if necessary. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Garnish in bowl with 3 or 4 roasted vine cherry tomatoes and a splash of heavy cream.