Tomato Soup

Recipe courtesy of Muir Glen Organic

Ingredients

1/3 cup D’Olivo olive oil
2 red bell peppers, stems and seeds removed, sliced lengthwise into 1/2-inch wide strips
1 small yellow onion, peeled and quartered
2 garlic cloves, peeled and quartered
2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
2 (14.5-ounce) cans Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar, plus more to taste
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon fresh black pepper, plus more to taste
1 small pinch sugar, as needed
1 handful fresh basil
4 dollops crème fraîche

Directions
In a heavy-bottomed soup pot, heat the olive oil, then add the red peppers, onion, and garlic. Cover and let cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally to break up the onion, until the peppers are soft and the onion is deeply caramelized—about 35 minutes.

Uncover and add the tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in the vinegar, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth with an immersion blender, or by transferring in batches to a blender and then returning to the pot. Adjust seasoning to taste with salt, vinegar, and sugar.

To serve, ladle soup into bowls and sprinkle with more fresh black pepper. Garnish with fresh basil, and if using, one dollop of crème fraîche per bowl.