Optional Add Ins: In the summer I do not add carrots or peppers to this soup as the homegrown tomatoes are good enough on their own. But if you are using store bought tomatoes and want to add more flavour add in the carrots and/or red pepper. Parmesan isn't necessary.. but if you have it around toss some on top before you serve, to feel like the King/Queen you are! haha
Roast The Veggies
On a large baking sheet or two standard size sheets OR in your dutch oven: Place the tomatoes, onions and garlic to roast. The tomatoes should be cut to the point where they are all a similar size. If you have tomatoes that are all the same size there is no reason to cut them, feel free to roast them whole. I like to cut the onions into 6-8 wedge shaped pieces and then leave the garlic as whole cloves, just peel them first. Toss the prepared veggies in oil and salt and pepper.
Roast the veggies at 400°F for 30-40 minuteYou'll know they are done when tender. They usually have a touch of char on them.
If you roasted the veggies on a baking sheet then transfer everything to your soup pot. Add Basil. Then add Milk, Stock or Cream and Blend.
Feel free to add more than one cup of liquid if you like a thinner soup. This recipe is easy to play around with. Let me know in the comments of this post how you made your soup or if you have any questions!
Check out the notes section for more..
Notes
Add 1+tablespoon sugar if you find your soup isn't sweet enough after you have blended it all and added your liquid. Needing to add sugar is completely based on the natural sweetness of your tomato - which can widely vary depending on the variety and ripeness of the tomato. So taste and adjust :) In Canada our tomato soups and sauces are sweetened when we buy them from the store so it is ok if you find you need to add some sugarYou can add a mix of cream and stock or milk and stock etc. It is up to you what you prefer. Using all stock will result in a more acidic soup as when you use cream/milk it cuts through the acidity. If you want to have the soup look exactly like it does in the photo then only add half of the cream to the soup before serving. Simply blend the veggies and basil with half a cup of cream and serve. Pour the remaining whipping cream (33%) in a sweeping circular motion over the bowl. Grate fresh parmesan at the end. Voila!