Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Soup is a comforting food. It warms and soothes me, no matter the weather. Soup and a sandwich, soup and salad, soup and crackers, croutons or bread. It can be a healthy, filling and economical addition to any menu. This is a delicious, simple to make recipe that uses just a handful of ingredients.

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

adapted from a recipe by Allison Rivers Samson

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon vegan margarine

1 cup chopped onions

3 1/2 cups vegetable broth

28 oz. can fire roasted diced tomatoes, undrained

2 teaspoons maple syrup

1/2 cup raw cashews

1/2 cup water

1 teaspoon rice vinegar

1/4 cup fresh basil chiffonade

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Saute the onion in a 4 quart pot in the oil and margarine until translucent (about 7 minutes).

Add tomatoes, broth and maple syrup. Bring to a low boil, then simmer for 15 minutes, uncovered.

In a dry food processor, grind cashews to a fine powder, then blend with water and vinegar. Add the mixture to the pot and blend well with an immersion blender or (carefully) in a high speed tabletop blender, in batches. Simmer another five minutes or so, stirring until heated through.

Taste for salt. Depending on the tomatoes and vegetable broth you use, you may not need to add any salt. Sprinkle with black pepper and basil chiffonade just before serving.