This is a recipe that you are going to want to make A.S.A.P..

Especially if you live in the midwest and cried when you saw that it was 2 degrees this morning when you woke up…whomp whomp.

I made this soup for my in-laws last week… it was a hit…

Probably because it was fraining (freezing and raining) and the soup was hot but still… they approved. Even my sister-in-law Anna, a.k.a. future Iron Chef America liked it. I considered it a job well done.

When I made it last week, I was in such a hurry that I forgot to take pictures… Don’t you hate it when that happens?

I couldn’t leave you hanging, so I made it again… except… I decided to slim it down a bit. Not a ton, just a wee little bit. You know… cut down the butter, heavy cream and sugar… ‘all the good for your taste buds but not for your heart’ stuff.

I’ll warn you though…this is a day making recipe. Like… in it will make your day. Like say you have had a crazy Friday and it’s -1 degree windchill outside and your hands are perpetually frozen and cracked and you just want to cry but you can’t because the tears will freeze on your face so you need something to make your day… that kind of recipe.

Did I ever mention that I really really love run-on sentences because I really do they make me so happy to be able to type and just keep typing never having to reach for the period because I’m sure you have noticed my love for run-on sentences….

And I’m back.

This is what you need to do…listen carefully…

Go home. Put on your favorite but terribly old and worn sweatshirt. Create a playlist that includes Ingrid Michaelson, Coldplay and The Postal Service. Boil some water for your favorite tea and drink it out of your favorite mug. Slice and dice and breathe in the aroma of warm butter, onions, and basil. Let the realization that you are so incredibly blessed wash over you… and create sweet, creamy, chunky tomato soup.

This especially works on a cold, drizzly day that turn into a tundra-like snowy day … it reminds you there is still good in the world. That summer is in fact, around the corner. That you will never run out of Basil in the summer because you grow LOADS of it in your back yard… there is hope my friends. There is hope.

Here’s what ya need:

T’maters, Onions, Garlic, Buillion Cubes, Sugar, Crushed t’maters, Spepper, Heavy Cream, Chicken Broth and Basil…

Don’t be like me. Don’t go grocery shopping on Saturday night. You know why you shouldn’t do this? All the day shoppers will clean the store out of Basil and it will be sad. Very sad. You will have to use dried basil which is NOT the same… So don’t be like me… mmmk?

Start Chopping and dicing…. chop and dice makes everything nice…

And chopping and dicing and chopping… then saute in butter these two lovely ingredients.. garlic and onions… glory…

Continue chopping and dicing while garlic and onions are cooking…

Once onions and garlic are soft, add everything but heavy cream and basil in with them…

Sugar, Buillon Cubes, Spepper and Crushed tomatoes…

Note.. don’t ever take pictures of crushed tomatoes.. they’ll gross you out…

Bring to a boil…

Then add in the heavy cream… this is also where you’ll add in the Basil too… if only it were summer… I’m dreaming of my basil garden as we speak…

Drop heat down to low and simmer for 30 minutes…

Serve it up in your nice china… nice china that can go in the dishwasher AND microwave melts my heart…

Enjoy!

Here’s the straight up recipe:

• 6 medium tomatoes, diced
• 3 medium onions, chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• butter for sauteing
• 1 large can crushed tomatoes
• 3 cups Chicken Broth
• 3 tsp. sugar
• Pinch of Salt
• Pepper to taste
• 1 Cup heavy cream
• 3 buillon cubes–chicken
• Basil

1. Saute onions and garlic in butter in large soup pot. Add in tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, broth, buillon cubes, sugar, salt and pepper. Bring to boil.

2. Reduce to low heat and add in heavy cream and basil. Simmer 30 minutes. Serve.

Happy Weekend Friends!