And with some Italian sausage thrown in, you’ve got one delicious soup. As you can see by the photo above, my Early Girl tomato plant is throwing a late harvest party. And the tomatoes are so sweet and wonderful, I’m in tomato heaven right now. And they made this fresh soup a very special treat.
Yesterday morning started off cool, foggy and absolutely gorgeous. Our first day that truly felt like Fall. Inspired by my morning walk along Dad Clark’s Gulch…soup’s on! This is our new walking “digs” accessible from the new house. Soon the scrub oak, grasses and towering cottonwood trees will turn to brilliant Fall colors…my favorite time of year. One thing I love about Highlands Ranch is the fact that they leave our open spaces in natural habitat. Even though I’m sure there’s a Rattlesnake or a pack of wild Coyotes hiding in all that fauna I still prefer it’s beauty over manicured grass. Actually years ago, and before we lived here, we watched a badger high-tail it out of this gulch.
Our high dessert climate has been blessed with lots of rain this season. My basil plant has been putting such a show that I’ve nick-named it Bazilla. And I can’t count how many times I’ve chopped on it to save the fresh Parsley that’s in it’s shadow. And look at the poor little Rosemary plant next to it. It obviously didn’t take a liking to our wet season. Planted at the same time in May, it should be times that size.
And an update on the move. I’m proud to announce that after twelve days we can now park both cars in the garage, which was once a sea of boxes. My new mantra; my feet hurt, my legs hurt, my back hurts and my arms hurt. 🙂
Back to this wonderful soup. Fresh sweet tomatoes, fresh basil, carrots, celery, onions, made creamy with a roux and Parmesan, this came together as one of our all time favorites. We’re enjoying the bounty of our late Colorado growing season.
- 1/8 cup olive oil
- 4 medium tomatoes diced (or two cans, undrained)
- 1 1/2 cup celery fine diced
- 1 1/2 cup carrot fine diced
- 1 bunch green onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 4 tablespoons fresh basil chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried)
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 cups milk or half and half
- 1 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1/2 pound Italian Sausage browned
- Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
- Heat the oil in large soup pot. Add celery, carrots and onion. Saute 5 minutes. Add basil, oregano, bay leaf, tomatoes, and chicken broth. Bring it to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes
- While the soup simmers, prepare a roux. Melt butter over low heat, add flour and cook, stirring constantly, 5-7 minutes. Slowly stir in 3 cup hot soup and stir until smooth. Add the mixture back into soup pot.
- Simmer and stir until soup begins to thicken. Add Parmesan cheese and whisk to blend. Stir warmed milk, salt and pepper, and Italian Sausage. Simmer over low heat for 5 minutes.
Creamy Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup…It’s what’s for Dinner.
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
September 9, 2014 at 1:14 pmThat garage looks so neat and tidy! And this soup looks so comforting. And this weather has been crazy, has it not?
Lea Ann Brown says
September 10, 2014 at 6:02 amFor now that garage is neat and tidy… we have to keep it that way. I’m loving all this rain.
cheri says
September 9, 2014 at 3:32 pmLooks like you live in a wonderful community Lea Ann, beautiful bowl of soup!
Lea Ann Brown says
September 10, 2014 at 6:01 amThank you Cheri.
Linda says
September 9, 2014 at 3:37 pmThis garage looks great! Good job. The soup sounds yummy! I have to make this. I’m looking forward to cooler temps. Thanks for sharing – and get some rest from all that unpacking.
Linda
Lea Ann Brown says
September 10, 2014 at 6:01 amThanks Linda! I’m doing my best to rest up.
Larry says
September 9, 2014 at 3:45 pmYour soup sounds delicious LA and I like the addition of sausage and parmesan. My goal is to get both cars in the garage by weeks end – have three big bags of trash so far.
Lea Ann Brown says
September 10, 2014 at 6:00 amGood luck with the cars project. Take photos. 🙂
Vickie says
September 9, 2014 at 6:10 pmThis post is so perfectly timed, it’s crazy. My basil, early girls and chives are off the hook and I am desperately trying to keep up! I will be making this for dinner tonight.
Your new digs look pretty sweet! Worth the aches and pains in the long run but Lordy it is hard work moving.
Vickie says
September 9, 2014 at 7:28 pmJust finished slurping this one down. Delicious!
Lea Ann Brown says
September 10, 2014 at 5:59 amGlad you liked it! We thought it was delicious. Did you use Italian Sausage or just go the vegetarian route?
Vickie says
September 11, 2014 at 6:52 pmWe did not add sausage because I didn’t have any. We had warm naan on the side though = perfect.
Lea Ann Brown says
September 14, 2014 at 4:17 pmI love naan.
Lea Ann Brown says
September 10, 2014 at 5:59 amIt is very hard work moving …. but now that the worst of it is over, I’m in Tresana heaven. Love it here.
Mira says
September 9, 2014 at 8:27 pmI love this simple recipe and am excited to try it with the italian sausage you recommend. Perfect timing, as I’ve got lots of basil in my garden 🙂
Lea Ann Brown says
September 10, 2014 at 5:57 amI made batch after batch of pesto last year with all my basil. Don’t think I’ve got the gumption to do it this year. I’ll have to make lots of this soup. Ha!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
September 10, 2014 at 4:08 pmI grow basil every year. I have only seen basil grow like that in greenhouses. So WOW. I have a couple big clumps and I thought mine were husky. Not in comparison to yours. I am in tomato heaven too, but because of my boss’s Mom. Sun ripen tomatoes—-nothing like it. Gotta take advantage of them—like with a delicious soup.
Lea Ann Brown says
September 11, 2014 at 8:02 amFor Colorado, I feel like we’ve lived in a rain forrest this year. It’s been fabulous.
Chris says
September 10, 2014 at 7:26 pmOur basil has been Ms Fertile Myrtle this year too, blooming out all over the place.
Lea Ann Brown says
September 11, 2014 at 8:02 amLove the Ms Fertile Myrtle name.
lisaiscooking says
September 11, 2014 at 9:49 amThis soup sounds perfect for the start of fall. I’m getting ready to move as well, and I’m dreading the everything hurts mantra! I’d love to have this soup on hand for recovering.
Lea Ann Brown says
September 14, 2014 at 8:25 amGood luck with that move Lisa. Once it’s over, it’s so nice to have a clean start.
Susan says
September 11, 2014 at 11:40 amSince I still have a bounty of tomatoes also I would love to try this! It sounds so delicious. Hmmm, maybe some cheesy croutons on top 🙂
Lea Ann Brown says
September 14, 2014 at 8:26 amCheesy croutons on top??? YES! Great idea Susan.
Erin | The Law Student's Wife says
September 11, 2014 at 11:00 pmAre you in my kitchen??? I made bread tonight, and the only thing that I was craving to go with it was a bowl of tomato soup! Love that you added sausage to make it heartier too.
Lea Ann Brown says
September 14, 2014 at 4:17 pmThanks for stopping in and the comment Erin. I made plain-ol cream of tomato soup after I made this one. It’s tasting so fresh and good.
Cheryl says
September 12, 2014 at 6:07 pmWhat beautiful, fresh product you have to use there! I’m totally jealous! The soup looks and sounds delicious! HUGS
Lea Ann Brown says
September 14, 2014 at 8:26 amThanks so much Cheryl!
Katerina says
September 15, 2014 at 10:50 amThis is such a hearty soup perfect for fall! Creamy and warm! Thanks for coming and linking up at The Weekend Social. All posts get pinned in our pinterest board! Please be sure to come back next week starting Thursdays at 9PM EST on culinaryflavors.gr ! I hope to see you there!
Lea Ann Brown says
September 16, 2014 at 7:23 amThanks so much Katerina. And thanks for hosting such a great party link-up.
Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm says
September 15, 2014 at 3:58 pmYour soup looks lovely.
Lea Ann Brown says
September 16, 2014 at 7:23 amThanks Wendy and thanks for stopping in and the comment. Always good to hear from new readers.
Debra says
September 17, 2014 at 4:19 amI love the pic of where you walk. Envious. Adding this recipe to my tomato soup file. Glad you are settling in.
Lea Ann Brown says
September 17, 2014 at 6:19 amThanks Debra.
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector) says
September 19, 2014 at 1:14 pmThis looks so good for an upcoming chilly night ahead! Pinned to our new Saturday Night Fever board. Thanks for linking up with us!
http://www.pinterest.com/ashlynedwards/saturday-night-fever-party/
Lea Ann Brown says
September 22, 2014 at 9:22 amThanks so much Jaren and for that pin.
Tricia the Good Mama says
September 29, 2014 at 8:52 amYum! I love a good soup. Tomato is one of my favorites. I will definitely have to try this recipe out. Pinned! You look like you are coming along with your move. We just recently moved too. It can be such a pain! Where did all of our stuff come from?