Quick roasted Tomato Soup

Homemade Tomato soup with a little kick of spice, it's delicious, thick as you want and chunky with fresh roasted veggies, MMM Good Food

\4 to 6 servings

Ingredients
2 1/2 pounds fresh tomatoes (mix of fresh heirlooms, cherry, vine and plum tomatoes)
6 cloves garlic, peeled
2 small yellow onions, sliced
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 quart chicken stock
2 bay leaves
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves, optional
3/4 cup heavy cream, optional

For croutons:
1 loaf crusty wheat-bread
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper
Olive oil

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

How to make it:
Croutons:

Cut whole-wheat bread into cubes and place into a large bowl, add chopped garlic and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper and toss with olive oil. Transfer to a sheet pan and place in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes, until golden brown.

Soup:
Wash, core and cut the tomatoes into halves. Spread the tomatoes, garlic cloves and onions onto a baking tray. If using vine cherry tomatoes for garnish, add them as well, leaving them whole and on the vine. Drizzle with 1/2 cup of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 to 30 minutes, or until caramelized.

Remove roasted tomatoes, garlic and onion from the oven and transfer to a large stock pot. Add 3/4 of the chicken stock, bay leaves, and butter. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until liquid has reduced by a third.

Wash and dry basil leaves, if using, and add to the pot. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Return soup to low heat, add cream and adjust consistency with remaining chicken stock, if necessary. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Garnish in bowl with fresh made croutons, a little parmesan cheese.