# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 3.3 pounds ripe tomatoes, chopped
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Liquids
04 - 3 cups vegetable stock
05 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
→ Herbs & Seasoning
06 - 1 small bunch fresh basil leaves, picked
07 - 1 teaspoon salt, adjusted to taste
08 - 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
09 - 1 teaspoon sugar, optional for acidity balance
→ Garnish
10 - Extra fresh basil leaves
11 - Additional extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
# Directions:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
02 - Add minced garlic and stir constantly for 1 minute, being careful not to allow browning.
03 - Stir in chopped tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes until tomatoes break down and release their natural juices.
04 - Pour in vegetable stock and add salt, pepper, and sugar if desired. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 15 minutes.
05 - Add basil leaves, reserving a few for garnish. Using an immersion blender, puree the soup directly in the pan until smooth and silky, or carefully blend in batches using a conventional blender.
06 - Taste the soup and adjust salt, pepper, or sugar as needed to achieve desired flavor balance.
07 - Ladle hot soup into bowls and garnish each serving with fresh basil leaves and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
