Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Ingredients:

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped fine

Olive oil

1 can tomato sauce

1 large can crushed tomatoes

2 cups chicken stock

1 T. dried Italian seasoning blend

1/2 tsp. thyme

2 T. brown sugar

1 tsp. pepper

Salt to taste

2 c. half-and-half

Parmesan cheese

Fresh basil, cut into strips

Directions:

In a 2-quart stockpot over medium heat, cook onion and garlic in olive oil until onion is soft. Be careful not to burn the garlic! Add in the tomatoe sauce, crushed tomatoes, chicken stock, Italian seasoning, thyme, salt, pepper, and brown sugar. Bring soup to a simmer.

Whisk in half-and-half. Heat through, being very careful not to boil the soup. Boiling will cause milk to separate and make for a lumpy soup.

Serve warm and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan and fresh basil.