With the weather changing my mind goes into comfort food mode. When it is cold out, I love sitting down to a nice warm cup of soup! This one hits the spot! A little dab of sour cream and some big ol’ fat Texas Toast Croutons! Ugh! I want some now! I honestly can’t take credit for this soup, however the original source I got the recipe from has seemed to fallen off the internet – if that is even possible. 🙂

SO, by popular demand, my award winning Creamy Dill Tomato Soup for you all to enjoy!!

What you’ll need

• 1 tablespoon each olive oiland butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or half as much table salt)
• Freshly ground pepper
• 3 tablespoons white rice
• 1 28-ounce can concentrated crushed tomatoes
• 1 1-quart box chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 cup heavy cream or evaporated milk
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried)
• Sour cream, dill, and buttered toast for garnish

Notes:

Yield: Serves 8

Variations:

Try substituting basil for the dill for a completely different and equally delicious variation — or stir in a handful of grated cheddar to up the richness.

How to make it

1. In a soup pot over medium-low heat, heat the butter and oil, then sauté the onion and salt gently until tender and translucent, 5-7 minutes.
2. Add pepper to taste, along with the rice, tomatoes, broth, and sugar, then bring to a boil, covered over high heat. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.
3. Turn off the heat, add the cream or evaporated milk, and use a stick blender to blend the soup completely smooth (alternately, puree it in batches in a blender, using extreme caution).
4. Stir the dill into the soup and simmer very gently, covered, for 10 more minutes. Taste the finished soup for salt and sugar, and add more if needed. (I add about 1/2 tbls of sugar and a pinch more salt!)
5. Cut buttered toast into small cubes for garnish, then serve the soup, garnishing each bowl with a dollop of sour cream, a sprig of deal, and a handful of croutons.

If you decide to make this, and seriously, why wouldn’t you? Please, come back and let me know how you liked it…I would love to read your comments!