Tomato Soup

When I was dating my husband, I had lunch with his family every Sunday.

(His family included a dad, a mom, and FOUR brothers, yeah that's right, FIVE BOYS total...more on that some other time!)

And one Sunday, his sweet mother made tomato soup.

I had never had tomato soup.

I didn't grow up eating it.

The only soup I remember eating from a can was Campbell's Chicken Noodle, and that's just because that's what you eat when you're sick.

I think maybe one of his brothers had asked me if I liked tomato soup and I answered that I really didn't know because I hadn't ever had it and they were shocked.

And when I took my first bite, all eyes were on me, waiting in anticipation for my reaction.

I gulped it down. I really did not like it.

And when that same charming brother asked me how I liked it, I believe I replied,

"It tastes like tomatoes.".

Fast forward a few years, I'm married and thinking that maybe I would like tomato soup if I made it myself (I'm kind of snobby like that).

And I did.

And I still do.

So, here it is:

Tomato Soup For Snobs:

Three to Four Tomatoes Diced OR Two Cans of Diced Tomatoes

One Medium Clove of Garlic

1 Teaspoon of Basil

1 Cup of Chicken Stock or Broth*

1/2 Cup of Milk or Cream (whatever you have on hand, both are good)

Salt and Pepper to taste

In a pot, combine tomatoes, garlic, basil, and chicken stock; bring to a boil.  Let boil until tomatoes are soft then remove from heat.  Pour mixture into a blender and blend until smooth.  Pour mixture back into pot and add milk.  Let simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.

Grill yourself a Grilled Cheese Sandwich.

I like to add a little dollop of sour cream and a little more basil on top. It looks pretty, it's delicious, and it makes me feel a little fancy. 

Eat it and raise a fist in honor of tomato soup snobs everywhere.

*Stock is made with bones; Broth is made without bones.  I use both, but I think I may prefer Stock.