Brothy Tomato Soup Food

THE BEST TOMATO SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Add the celery, onions, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are softened but not browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in the crushed tomatoes. Add the broth and thyme leaves. Cover and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour.
• Let the hot soup cool for about 5 minutes or so, then transfer half of it to a blender filling no more than halfway. Add 2 tablespoons of the butter. Remove the center cap from the lid and place it on the blender. Cover the lid with a kitchen towel to catch splatters, and pulse until smooth. Pour into a clean pot or container. Repeat with the remaining soup and butter. Season with salt and pepper.
• Ladle the soup into bowls and drizzle with more oil before serving.

EASY TOMATO SOUP

Steps:

• 1. Heat olive oil in a medium sauce pot over medium-high heat. Add fennel, onion, garlic, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, fennel seed, and crushed pepper, if using, and cook until vegetables soften and brown slightly, about 5 minutes. Drain and reserve juice from tomatoes, and gently crush tomatoes with your hands. Add tomatoes, increase heat to high, and cook until slightly brown, about 5 minutes.
• 2. Add reserved juices from tomatoes, vegetable broth, tomato juice, and basil leaves. Bring to a boil, stir, reduce heat to medium low, cover and cook until vegetables are cooked through and soup reduces and thickens, about 30 minutes.
• 3. Remove pot from stove and puree soup in batches, with an immersion, regular blender, or food processor. Stir in lemon juice and season with pepper, to taste. Serve.