Sweet Tomato Basil Cooler Food

CREAMY TOMATO BASIL SOUP

Steps:

• Add oil to a large soup pot over medium high heat. Once hot, add carrots, onions, and celery and sauté them for a few minutes.
• Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, oregano, and dried basil. Bring to a gentle boil and cook for several minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
• Use an immersion blender or regular blender (you may need to do this in batches, depending on how big your blender is) to puree the soup until smooth. (This step is optional, if you like a smooth soup). Return it to the soup pot.
• In a separate pot, prepare the roux. Add butter to the pot over medium low heat and allow to melt. Stir in the flour and whisk together constantly for about 10 minutes or until the roux is a nice golden brown color.
• Add a big ladle full of the soup to the roux--it will start to form a thick paste. Add a few more big scoops of soup to the roux and stir well until smooth. Add the roux mixture to soup pot and stir to combine.
• Stir in the parmesan cheese, half and half, salt, pepper and basil. Add additional oregano and basil if needed, to taste. Stir well. Cook for a few more minutes until warmed through.
• Store tomato basil soup covered in the refrigerator for up to one week.
• Try it served in a yummy homemade bread bowl!

SWEET BASIL TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, onion, basil, and garlic in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until slightly reduced, 30 minutes.

SWEET TOMATO BASIL COOLER

Steps:

• Prepare the garnish by cutting a small X in the top and bottom of the cherry tomato. Skewer a paper straw through the two X's and set aside.
• Fill a small bowl with 1/4 inch water. Mix the basil sugar with the salt on a small plate.
• Dip the rim of an 8- to 10-ounce rocks glass in the water then in the basil sugar mixture. Add two or three 1-inch ice cubes to the rimmed glass, carefully pour in the tomato basil shrub then top with the sparkling water. Stir with the prepared straw, adjust the tomato so it sits about 1/2 inch above the rim and serve.
• Combine the tomatoes, basil sugar and salt in a small saucepan and stir together to start to dissolve the sugar and break down the tomatoes. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and cook, stirring occasionally to break up the tomatoes, until the tomatoes are saucy and the skins are loosened, 25 to 30 minutes. (No need to add water; there will be plenty of liquid from the tomatoes.)
• Remove from the heat and stir in the vinegar. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium heatproof bowl, pressing as much juice as possible through the sieve; discard the solids. Transfer the shrub to a glass jar and refrigerate for 24 hours before enjoying so the flavors can meld together. The shrub can be refrigerated for up for 2 weeks. Makes about 2 cups.
• Combine the sugar and basil in a mini food processor and pulse until the basil is finely chopped and blended into the sugar. You might need to stop and stir occasionally to help disperse the basil. Transfer to a jar and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

SWEET BASIL ROASTED TOMATO SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450º F.
• Wash, core and cut tomatoes into halves. Spread the tomatoes, garlic and onions onto a baking tray. If using vine cherry tomatoes for garnish, add them as well, leaving them whole and on the vine. Drizzle with 1/2 cup olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20-30 minutes or until caramelized.
• Remove roasted tomatoes, garlic and onion from the oven and transfer to a large stock pot (reserve vine cherry tomatoes for later). Add 3/4 of the chicken stock, bay leaves and butter. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until liquid has reduced by a third.
• Wash and dry basil leaves. Add to pot. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Return soup to low heat, add half and half and adjust consistency with remaining chicken stock, if necessary. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Garnish in bowl with 3 or 4 roasted vine cherry tomatoes and a splash of half and half.

BASIL BAKED TOMATOES

Steps:

• In a small skillet, saute garlic in oil for 1 minute. Add bread crumbs; cook and stir until lightly browned. Remove from the heat., Cut tomatoes in half widthwise. Place cut side up in an 8-in. square baking dish. Sprinkle with basil and pepper; top with bread crumb mixture. Bake at 325° for 15-20 minutes or until tomatoes are slightly softened.