2/3cupheavy cream, can use lighter cream, but soup will be less thick
2teaspoonskosher salt, plus more as needed
1/4teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed
1/8teaspooncrushed red pepper flakes, omit if you don't want any heat
1/4teaspooncelery seed
1/4teaspoondried oregano
1Tablespoonwhite sugar
Goat Cheese Toast (an optional but delicious addition):
4 - 6slicescrusty bread
1/2cupgoat cheese, crumbled
2teaspoonextra virgin olive oil
1/4teaspoonthyme
Salt and freshly ground pepper
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Instructions
For the soup: In a large saucepan, heat the butter and olive oil and cook the onion and garlic until the the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, water, cream, salt, red pepper flakes, celery seed, oregano, and sugar. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer and simmer for 15 minutes.
Remove from the heat and puree in using an immersion blender or in small batches in the container of a blender. Return the soup to the pot and reheat to a simmer, seasoning to taste with more salt and pepper.
For the goat cheese toast: Preheat your oven to broil, with a rack about 4 inches below the heat. In a small bowl, combine the goat cheese, olive oil, thyme, salt and pepper.
Place your bread slices onto a baking sheet and toast one side of the bread under the broiler until golden. Turn the bread over and toast the other side lightly. Remove from oven. Spoon some of the goat cheese mixture onto the bread (you can leave it is chunks or spread it smooth, as you like) and return to the broiler, watching closely so the bread doesn't burn. Once bread is toasted perfectly, move baking sheet to a lower rack and turn oven off to continue to warm cheese for a bit, without burning the toast. When the soup is ready, remove toast from oven and cut slices in half diagonally.
To serve, spoon soup into bowl and place two slices of goat cheese toast onto the side of the bowl, with the ends sitting in the soup. Garnish with some freshly ground pepper and/or a bit of additional thyme.
Notes
Nutritional information does not include the optional goat cheese toasts.Be sure to read the Cook's Notes above the Recipe Card, for more tips on making this recipe.