Tomato Basil Soup for my Ladybug

I bought a basil plant at Wegmans last weekend and while I always end up killing each one I buy, I'm determined this one will survive.

 

This time last year was a very difficult period in my life. My grandmother, my best friend, my biggest fan and the one who held (and still holds) the majority of my heart suddenly was admitted to the hospital and three weeks later went to be with the love of her life in heaven. While I am blessed to have had her in my life for almost 40 years, I am still grief stricken and my heart and life will never be the same.

When I worked in Old Town Alexandria I would often get the tomato basil soup from a little French cafe and bring it home. Grandmother enjoyed it as well and every Christmas I would put a jar of it in her stocking. She looked forward to it every year. It only made sense to try to make my own tomato basil soup since I had a basil plant and since it was a year that my ladybug's nightmare began.

So for my grandmother, here is a quick and easy creamy tomato basil soup recipe:

Quick and Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

1 - 28oz can of no/low sodium crushed tomatoes
1- 15 oz box of vegetable broth/stock
1 cup heavy cream
fresh basil - as much as you like sliced thin as garnish

Combine broth and tomatoes in a medium saucepan over moderate heat. When soup bubbles, stir in heavy cream and reduce heat to low. Season with a little sea salt and black pepper and simmer gently 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Once poured in the bowl, add the basil.

Now it wouldn't be tomato basil soup without bread for dipping!
Often I just grab a baguette but this time I wanted a grilled cheese sandwich. I bought sliced sourdough bread and gruyere cheese for a little twist. So delicious by itself and dipped in the soup!

 

While cooking I always like to listen to music. Because I was in a somber mood while making this and wishing that I had thought of making this when Grandmother was alive, I decided to put on music that I hadn't listened to in a long time - the "One Cell in the Sea" cd by A Fine Frenzy. A Fine Frenzy, also known as Alison Sudol, grew up listening to Ella Fitzgerald and swing music. Naturally, I would be drawn to her music.

Upon hearing the song "Last of Days," a few tears made their way into the tomato basil soup. I wouldn't recommend this ingredient but sometimes it's just necessary and it surely won't hamper the taste any.

Last of Days

 

Something causing fear to fly
Rising like a dark night
In silence
Traveling like a broken boat
Heading for the sky
And I'm an island

I watched you disappear into the clouds
Swept away into another town

The world carries on without you
But nothing remains the same
I'll be lost without you
Until the last of days

The sun is in the east,
Rising for the beasts
And the beauties
I wish that I could tear it down,
Plant it in the ground to warm your face

I built myself a castle on the beach
Watching as it slid into the sea

The world carries on without you
But nothing remains the same
I'll be lost without you
Until the last of days
Until the last of days

Through walls and harvest moons
I will fight for you

The world carries on without you
But nothing remains the same
I'll be lost without you
Until the last of days
Until the last of days