Buddy Valastro’s Easy Tomato Soup

Heat a large, heavy pot over medium heat. Add the butter and cook until it is melted and foamy. Add the onion and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned, about 4 minutes. Pour in the tomatoes and their juices then stir in the stock. Raise the heat to high, bring to a boil, then lower the heat so the liquid is simmering. Continued to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to break down, about 10 minutes. Set aside 2 tablespoons of the basil, and stir the rest into the pot.

Using an immersion blender, or working in batches in a standing blender*, purée the soup until almost smooth. Stir in the cream, season with salt and pepper, and adjust the consistency with more cream or chicken stock. Ladle into bowls and garnish with the remaining basil.

*Hot Stuff: Be careful when blending hot liquids in a standing blender because the contained steam and heat can cause the lid to pop off. A good way to prevent this is to remove the center piece from the blender and cover the hole with a folded, slightly damp, kitchen towel. This will allow steam to escape as you work; just don’t fill the blender so high that the soup splashes out.