the best roasted tomato soup

what do you do when you have a tomato jungle?? let me clarify...what started out as a modest backyard garden has turned into this...

MY TOMATO JUNGLE!!

underneath all that i have some bell peppers, basil, parsley, corn, scallions, artichokes and cilantro...but you would never know it. haha.

naturally i've been eating lots of tomatoes this summer and i'm always on the look out for tasty new recipes to try. one day i caught tyler florence making some roasted tomato soup on the food network that i thought could easily be veganized. i quickly started roasting some tomatoes in my toaster oven and the final results were amazing...one of the best tomato soups i've ever had!! and suprisingly creamy, without adding the optional soy creamer. i served my soup with some mixed greens and zucchini stuffed with vegan cheese, morningstar sausage crumbles and veggies...a take on a recipe originally posted on simply recipes, which i have to tweak a bit more.

roasted tomato soup (adapted from tyler's ultimate on the food network)

• 2 lbs of fresh tomatoes (any variety will do)
• 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and smashed
• 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
• 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 cups of vegetarian chicken stock
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tbsp of vegan buttery spread (i used earth balance)
• 1/3 cup of chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup of soy creamer (optional and ommited from my soup)

preheat oven to 450 degrees. wash, core and cut the tomatoes into halves. spread the tomatoes, garlic cloves and onions onto a baking tray. drizzle with 1/4 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 the stock, bay leaves and buttery spread. bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.

wash and dry basil leaves. add to the pot. use a blender to puree the soup until smooth. return soup to low heat. add creamer, if using. season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper. enjoy!!