Tomato Soup with Rice + Basil Yogurt Drizzle
Is there really anything better than tomato soup?
Let me clarify—homemade tomato soup.
When I was younger, I was addicted to cans of the Progresso version.
I can picture myself at age 22, squeezing my way into my 2x2 foot kitchen, cracking open that blue can, and then waiting those 2 minutes for the microwave to deliver my spoils.
If only I had known how much better making my own tomato soup could be.
Like, SO much better, and requiring no skills or fancy ingredients.
And what I also couldn’t have imagined at the time was how adding tender rice to my soup would completely take it to the next level.
Or that topping it with a beautiful and refreshing three-ingredient basil yogurt drizzle would boost its amazing-factor sky-high.
But now that I know what I didn't know, let's take our tomato soup there.
We just need to sauté some garlic and onions...
Add some crushed and juiced tomatoes...
And while that all simmers, combine yogurt, basil and a little salt for a drizzle you could never find in a Progresso can.
Tomato Soup with Rice + Basil Yogurt Drizzle
servings: 8 cups of soup, with about ½ cup drizzle; serves 4
Basil Yogurt Drizzle:
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Tomato Soup with Rice:
- One 10.6-ounce package Veetee Microwavable Thai Jasmine Rice (makes 1½ cups)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- One 46-ounce can tomato juice
- Two 14-ounce cans diced tomatoes
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- Basil Yogurt Drizzle
- Fresh basil leaves, finely chopped, for a garnish (optional)
Basil Yogurt Drizzle:
- Add the yogurt, basil, and salt to a blender along with ¼ cup water and blend this mixture until it is mostly smooth. If you prefer, you can skip the blender and instead finely chop the basil, then mix it by hand with the yogurt, water, and salt until all ingredients are well combined.
Tomato Soup with Rice:
- Microwave the rice for 2 minutes as per the package instructions, and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Then add the onion, garlic, and ½ teaspoon of the salt and cook until the vegetables are tender and fragrant—3-4 minutes.
- Add the tomato juice, diced tomatoes, remaining 1 teaspoon of salt, and the pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Transfer the soup to a blender and puree it until smooth, then return it to the pot and stir in the rice and cream.
- To serve, divide the soup into bowls, top with the Basil Yogurt Drizzle, and sprinkle with the basil leaves if desired.
