Tomato soup with basil and mozzarella

Recipe: Tomato soup with basil and mozzarella

Tomato soup with basil and mozzarella is a simple and delicious dish that is easy to make. It combines the rich flavor of ripe tomatoes with the aroma of fresh basil and tender mozzarella. This soup is a great choice for cold days or an evening dinner.

Ingredients

• 6-8 ripe tomatoes
• 1 onion, sliced
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 4 cups of chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1/2 cup
  mozzarella

  Mozzarella - a soft, tender and elastic Italian cheese, usually made from buffalo milk. Used in dishes such as pizza, caprese, and lasagna.

  , diced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a deep pot over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes.
2. Add minced garlic and sauté for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. While the onion and garlic are sautéing, make cuts on the top of each tomato and place them in boiling water for 30 seconds. Then transfer the tomatoes to a bowl of cold water and peel off the skin. Dice the tomatoes.
4. Add the diced tomatoes to the pot with onion and garlic, sauté them together for another 5 minutes until the tomatoes become soft and start to release juice.
5. Add the chicken or vegetable broth to the pot and bring the soup to a boil. Then reduce heat and let the soup simmer on low heat for about 15-20 minutes.
6. Add chopped basil and mozzarella to the soup and cook for another 5 minutes until the mozzarella starts to melt.
7. Serve the tomato soup with basil and mozzarella hot. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Tips

• Use ripe and flavorful tomatoes for the best soup taste.
• If you want to enhance the flavor, add a bit of tomato puree or paste.
• You can use fresh or dried basil depending on the season.
• For a richer taste, add a bit of olive oil just before serving.
• For a creamy texture, blend the soup with a blender until smooth.
• Serve with toast or croutons.
• Spice up the soup with cayenne pepper for a hint of spiciness.
• If the tomatoes are too acidic, add a bit of sugar or honey to balance the taste.
• Experiment with different types of cheese if mozzarella is not your choice.
• Serve with slices of fresh baguette for a complete flavor experience.

Common Mistakes

• Overcooking: Prolonged boiling of the soup can lead to loss of aroma and flavor.
• Undercooking: Don't give the tomatoes enough time to become soft and flavorful.
• Over-salting: Be careful with salt, oversalting can ruin the dish.
• Unbalanced Taste: Remember to balance the acidity of tomatoes with sugar or honey.
• Overheating with mozzarella: Adding mozzarella at the end of cooking helps to avoid overheating and cheese breakdown.

Fun Fact

Tomato soup with basil and mozzarella is a variation of the classic Italian salad "Caprese", where tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil come together, but in this case in the form of soup.