Warming up with a bowl of soup!

Have you noticed HOW MANY people are sick right now?!  It's crazy!!!  You turn the corner and another person is coughing... or sneezing... or... blowing their nose.  We won't be too vivid here, but you get the drift.  And we all know that mom prescribes that bowl of chicken noodle soup for the invalids.  Nature's remedy?   Let's face it... probably not.  But there is certainly merit to the comfort that soup brings when we aren't feeling well.  It does something to warm-up the whole body and soul!  (Why else would there be countless books titled, "Chicken Soup for the _____ Soul?").  Soup can cure any sore throat and stomach ache!  (Or maybe that's really a cup of good tea with some soothing honey...).  Fear not, here's a soup that'll help the sick to feel better or one to warm-up with the chilly wind (or even snow...) that's still in the air!  And the best part?  This recipe is super easy and takes almost no time at all!

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
2 15oz cans of tomatoes (either crushed, chunks, puree - whatever texture you're looking for in your soup!)
1 6 oz can tomato paste
4-6 tbs olive oil
2-4 garlic cloves (minced)
3-4 tbs basil "paste" or pesto
salt and pepper
1/2-1 cup heavy cream

Heat pot over medium-high heat.  Add 3 tbs olive oil, 3-4 tbs basil/pesto, garlic, and a little salt and allow to saute until garlic is cooked down (about 3-4 minutes).  Add tomato paste and 1-3 tbs more olive oil and season with a little more salt and some freshly ground pepper for another 2-3 minutes.  Mix and allow to fully incorporate before adding the canned tomatoes.  Mix all of the ingredients together and allow to simmer for about 5 minutes.  Turn down the heat to low or medium-low and slowly add the heavy cream until you reach the creaminess you desire.  You may decide you want even more or less than the 1/2 to 1 cup.  Stir until the cream has fully been incorporated with the tomatoes and no white streaks are evident.  Allow to simmer for about 15 minutes.  Taste test to see if you desire any more salt, pepper, cream, etc.  Allow to simmer for another 15-20 minutes or until ready to serve!

Just like with all soups and chilies, this recipe is always better the second day!  This an easily be made a day or two ahead and reheated to serve.

It's a great starter for a full course meal with guests!  Or just go "plain and simple" and serve with some toasted garlic bread, french bread, or even homemade spanakopita (like pictured here!  Only that recipe will come at a later date...!), or even toss-up a nice green salad and be adventures and grill a ham & cheese or a panini with mozzarella, tomato, and basil or whatever floats your boat!  The options are endless.