Tomato Soup

Jay and I both love tomato soup.... we even like Campbell's from a can (though not our preference).  Our favorites are from Paradise Bakery and District.  It's the ultimate when served with a grilled cheese sandwich on good bread.  Yum!

Since I can't/don't want to eat at a restaurant every day (and I would eat it every day), for the last few years I have been on a quest to find a recipe that is similar so that I can make it at home.  I have tried many recipes found on the internet, and they have been disappointing, even those from the likes of Martha Stewart and Ina Garten. 

I've been working my way through a stack of recipes I have printed out, and finally found it!  The one!  It's from ourbestbites.com (I am liking everything I have tried of theirs so far), though I adapted it a bit to suit my tastes (I just can't help myself), and what I had on hand. 

Here is what I did:

1-2 T. olive oil
1-2 T. dried onion
2 heads roasted garlic (fresh would be fine too, but don't use as much)
1 T. sugar
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. kosher salt (optional, since there is quite a bit of salt elsewhere)
2 tsp. dry basil
1/2 c. sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil with herbs (I used about half of an 8 oz. jar)
2 (15 oz.) cans diced tomatoes
10 oz. chicken broth

1/3 - 1/2 c. sour cream (optional)*

Heat the oil over medium heat in a large sauce pan or medium pot; add onion and garlic and saute one minute.  Add all but the sour cream and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 5-10 minutes.  Use an immersion blender to puree until smooth (a regular blender works too, but it's a lot harder).  Stir in sour cream or serve with a dollop on top.  (Serve with grilled cheese or croutons!)

* I tasted it before adding the sour cream and I thought it was delicious, so it doesn't really need it, but I added it anyway.  I could have gone either way, so just go with what your preference is.  The original recipe calls for cream cheese...I didn't have any, but I wouldn't have used it anyway.... the thought made me gag.  Heavy cream would be OK, just not as much flavor.  Greek yogurt would be another good substitute.