Wintertime Tomato Soup

When fresh garden tomatoes are not in season, it is still possible to make a delicious homemade tomato soup using canned tomatoes.  This recipe is adapted from Ellie Krieger of The Washington Post proves that you can have homemade goodness in the middle of winter.

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 minced garlic clove
2 (14.5 ounce) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
2 Tablespoons tomato paste
2 cups chicken broth
1/2  cup whole milk
2 tsp. honey
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. salt
Pinch of black pepper

Instructions

Heat oil in large soup pot over medium heat. Add onions and cook until softened, stirring occasionally. Stir in garlic and cook one minute more. Add tomatoes, tomato paste and chicken broth. Increase heat, bring to boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 15 minutes. Stir occasionally.
Add honey, milk, salt, pepper and basil. Remove from heat. Using an immersion blender, puree until smooth.
Garnish if desired with crackers or popcorn.