Nordstrom's Tomato Basil Soup

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 large carrots, peeled and diced
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1 tablespoon dried basil, crushed
• 3 28-ounce cans whole peeled Roma tomatoes
• 1 quart chicken broth
• 1 pint heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Warm the olive oil in a large, sturdy saucepan over medium-high heat, just until it looks glossy and fluid. Add the carrots and onion, and cook for 10 minutes, until they start to soften. Stir in the basil, then continue cooking for about 5 minutes more, until the vegetables are fully tender. Add the tomatoes and broth, bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes, or as long as 45 minutes if you have the time. Let the soup cool a bit, then blend it in a blender or food processor until smooth, working in batches if needed. If you want a noticeably silkier soup, pass the purée through a strainer before pouring it back into the pot. Set the pot over low heat and stir in the cream gradually, stopping when the texture is where you want it and the soup is warmed through. Add salt and pepper to taste, and serve warm.