Hearty Tomato Soup

Ingredients

• Heavy cream (1/2 cup)
• Salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)
• Dried oregano (1/2 teaspoon)
• Dried basil (1/2 teaspoon)
• Sugar (1 teaspoon)
• Tomato paste (1 tablespoon)
• Vegetable broth (4 cups)
• Tomatoes (1.5 pounds, chopped)
• Garlic (3 cloves, minced)
• Onion (1 medium, chopped)
• Olive oil (2 tablespoons)

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion becomes translucent. This should take about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the chopped tomatoes, vegetable broth, tomato paste, sugar, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Combine these ingredients well.
4. Bring your soup to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Puree the soup until it's smooth using an immersion blender or regular blender. If you're using a regular blender, remember to blend in batches to avoid overflow.
6. Return the pureed soup to the pot. Stir in the heavy cream and heat for an additional 5 minutes.
7. Taste your soup and adjust the seasoning if needed. Add salt, pepper, or a pinch more sugar as per your preference.
8. Serve your soup hot. For a touch of elegance, garnish with a swirl of cream and a sprig of fresh basil. Enjoy!