I still remember the late-summer afternoons when my grandmother and I stood over a steaming pot that scented the whole house. We talked about nothing important while she stirred, and I learned that the best recipes came from small, steady actions and a lot of patience. That memory lives in every pot I set on the stove, especially when I make a bowl that comforts like a warm blanket.
I grew up in a small Kentucky kitchen where church potlucks and family suppers taught me the rhythms of real cooking. I’m Maggie Hart retired from office life, full-time home cook, and the voice behind Gemmir Kitchen. I learned to cook with my mother and with faded church cookbooks that smelled of coffee and lemon oil.
I focus on dishes that feel like Sunday dinners but fit into weeknights: casseroles, one-pot meals, skillet suppers, and desserts the whole family remembers. My recipes stay simple, family-friendly, and pork-free, tested in ordinary homes with busy evenings and hungry kids. I explain every step in a friendly, patient tone because good food should be accessible to everyone. Comfort made simple guides everything I make.
When I make Evening Glow Tomato Basil Soup, I reach for the kind of tomatoes that remind me of those summer afternoons. This soup blends bright tomatoes, sweet basil, and a touch of cream into something cozy and familiar. I keep it straightforward no fuss, just the slow, patient cooking that brings out deep flavor.
Evening Glow Tomato Basil Soup works for a quiet solo dinner, an easy family supper, or a pot to share with neighbors. It tastes like company and warmth in a bowl, and it’s the kind of recipe you’ll come back to on chilly nights. I promise clear steps and a few helpful tips so you can make Evening Glow Tomato Basil Soup in your own weeknight kitchen and create a few new memories along the way.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why this recipe works
This recipe works because it turns a handful of pantry staples and fresh tomatoes into a silky, comforting bowl that feels both timeless and uncomplicated. Evening Glow Tomato Basil Soup relies on three things: ripe tomatoes for sweetness and acidity, basil for its fresh aromatic lift, and a bit of cream to round all the edges. When you simmer tomatoes slowly, their natural sugars concentrate and their texture breaks down, giving you depth of flavor without needing long braises or complicated techniques. The dried basil in the pantry offers a quick shortcut when fresh isn’t handy, but if you have fresh leaves, stirring them in at the end brightens the whole pot.
I designed Evening Glow Tomato Basil Soup for weeknights, so it stays forgiving. You can use fresh tomatoes when they’re abundant, or canned if you need convenience both paths lead to a warming, homey soup. The recipe keeps things family-friendly and pork-free, perfect for households with varying dietary preferences. It also adapts well: make it lighter with vegetable broth, richer with a splash of cream, or more herbal with extra basil. The method teaches you to coax out maximum flavor with minimal fuss, so the soup rewards simple attention. When you ladle Evening Glow Tomato Basil Soup into bowls, you’ll taste simmered tomato goodness that feels like a small celebration of everyday cooking.
How to prepare Evening Glow Tomato Basil Soup
Making this soup goes back to basics: sauté aromatics, invite the tomatoes to soften, simmer quietly, purée, and finish with cream. That straightforward rhythm gives you plenty of room to pause, taste, and adjust. I like to use a heavy-bottomed pot so the heat distributes evenly and nothing scorches. A gentle simmer lets the tomatoes break down and meld with the broth without evaporating too quickly. If you have two burners, you can warm the bowls or toast a bit of bread while the soup simmers small touches that make dinner feel cozy.
When you prepare Evening Glow Tomato Basil Soup, focus on timing: cook the onions and garlic until soft and fragrant but not browned, then let the tomatoes simmer until they sigh and fall apart. Purée while the soup is still warm for a smoother texture. If you prefer a bit of body, leave the soup slightly chunky; for a silky finish, purée until completely smooth. Finish with cream for balance and check seasoning before serving salt and pepper do more than you think. This method keeps Evening Glow Tomato Basil Soup approachable for cooks of any skill level and helps you build confidence one pot at a time.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 large tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups broth (vegetable or chicken)
- 1/4 cup cream
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes soft and translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and the dried basil to the pot.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes soften and release their juices.
- Pour in the broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Cover and let the soup simmer for about 15 minutes to meld flavors.
- Purée the soup until smooth using an immersion blender or a countertop blender.
- Stir in the cream and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the soup hot, with fresh basil or a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
Serving ideas
Serving Evening Glow Tomato Basil Soup gives you a chance to make the meal feel a little special with small, easy additions. Pair the soup with warm, crusty bread or simple grilled cheese sandwiches cheddar melts nicely and keeps things nostalgic and family-friendly. For a lighter meal, serve a green salad tossed with lemon vinaigrette alongside the soup to add brightness and a bit of crunch. If you want to lift the presentation, swirl a little pesto on top or finish with a few fresh basil leaves and a drizzle of good olive oil.
For family dinners, I like to set bowls on a trivet with a basket of bread in the center so everyone can ladle their own portions. Evening Glow Tomato Basil Soup also reheats well for work lunches; pack it in a thermos with a slice of bread on the side. For a heartier bowl, stir in cooked white beans or a handful of cooked pasta near the end of simmering to bulk it up. The soup keeps its comforting character whether you keep it simple or dress it up, so choose the serving style that fits your evening and your appetites.
Storing this recipe
Storing Evening Glow Tomato Basil Soup is straightforward and helps you save time on busy days. Cool the soup to room temperature before refrigerating to prevent the fridge from warming up. Transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to four days. When you reheat, do so gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally so it warms evenly without splitting the cream. If the soup thickens in the fridge, thin it with a splash of broth or water as you warm it.
For longer storage, Evening Glow Tomato Basil Soup freezes well. Pour the cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving a little headspace for expansion. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently. If you plan to freeze, consider leaving out the cream and adding it fresh when you rewarm the soup; this keeps the texture smoother after freezing. With these simple steps, you’ll always have a cozy bowl ready when the evening calls for something warm and familiar.
Helpful tips
A few small habits make Evening Glow Tomato Basil Soup shine. First, choose tomatoes with a balance of sweetness and acidity vine-ripe tomatoes in season give the best flavor, while canned whole tomatoes work great in cooler months. Second, don’t hurry the sautéing of the onion and garlic: soft, translucent onions give you a base of sweetness that balances the tomatoes. Third, taste as you go. Salt helps coax out flavor, and a final grind of black pepper lifts the finished soup.
If you use an immersion blender, blend the soup while it’s warm but not boiling to avoid splatters. If you prefer a richer finish, swap half-and-half or a dollop of crème fraîche for the cream at the end. For an herb-forward boost, add a handful of torn fresh basil just before serving to keep the green, aromatic notes bright. These simple tips help Evening Glow Tomato Basil Soup become a reliable weeknight favorite that feels anything but ordinary.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Can I use canned tomatoes for Evening Glow Tomato Basil Soup?
A: Yes, canned tomatoes work beautifully and make the recipe convenient year-round. Use a good-quality canned whole or crushed tomato and taste for seasoning as canned tomatoes sometimes vary in acidity. If your canned tomatoes seem very acidic, a pinch of sugar balances the flavor nicely. Canned tomatoes let you make Evening Glow Tomato Basil Soup even when fresh tomatoes aren’t at their peak.
Q: How can I make Evening Glow Tomato Basil Soup dairy-free?
A: To make this soup dairy-free, swap the cream for a splash of full-strength canned coconut milk or use a plant-based cream alternative. Another approach is to omit cream entirely and finish with a swirl of extra-virgin olive oil for richness. Taste and adjust seasoning after the swap to ensure the texture and flavor meet your expectations.
Q: Can I make Evening Glow Tomato Basil Soup ahead for a gathering?
A: Absolutely. You can make the soup a day ahead and refrigerate it; flavors often deepen overnight. Reheat gently and stir in the cream just before serving if you want the freshest finish. If you plan to freeze portions for later, remember that adding cream after thawing usually gives a smoother texture. These methods let Evening Glow Tomato Basil Soup be both a cozy weeknight meal and a make-ahead comfort dish for guests.
Conclusion
Evening Glow Tomato Basil Soup delivers warm, homey flavor with a simple method that fits into busy evenings and slow weekends alike. If you love a creamy, herb-laced tomato soup and want a few variations to try, the soup in the Oh She Glows collection offers a plant-forward twist worth exploring; see a related creamy tomato soup here: Cream of Tomato Soup from the Oh She Glows Cookbook. Keep a pot of Evening Glow Tomato Basil Soup on hand, and you’ll always have a comforting bowl to share.
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Evening Glow Tomato Basil Soup
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A comforting tomato basil soup that blends ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and cream into a cozy bowl of goodness.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 large tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups broth (vegetable or chicken)
- 1/4 cup cream
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes soft and translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and the dried basil to the pot.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes soften and release their juices.
- Pour in the broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Cover and let the soup simmer for about 15 minutes to meld flavors.
- Purée the soup until smooth using an immersion blender or a countertop blender.
- Stir in the cream and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the soup hot, with fresh basil or a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
Notes
For a lighter meal, serve with a green salad. The soup can be frozen for up to three months; add cream fresh when rewarming.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soups
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American