Yummy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe

You can find this recipe on the web at http://utah.todaysmama.com/2012/03/20/tomato-basil-parmesan-soup-in-the-slow-cooker-or-on-the-stove-top/  It was printed in the BYU magazine by Karen Peterson (utah.todaysmama.com) and also flew all over pinterest. It is divine!!  My minimal additions are highlighted below.

This is the most delicious soup ever!  Whenever I make it I get tons of compliments.  Serve alone or with grilled cheese sandwiches for a appetizing, comforting meal.
Makes about 2 quarts (about 8 servings)
2 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes, with juice
1 cup finely diced celery
1 cup finely diced carrots
1 cup finely diced onions
1 tsp dried oregano or 1 T fresh oregano
1 T dried basil or 1/4 cup fresh basil
4 cups chicken broth
½ bay leaf
½ cup flour
1 cup Parmesan cheese (I like more cheese, so add to taste)
½ cup butter
2 cups half and half, warmed (or skim milk if you’re trying to cut some calories)
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1.  Add tomatoes, celery, carrots, chicken broth, onions, oregano, basil, and bay leaf to a large slow cooker.
2.  Cover and cook on LOW for 5-7 hours, until flavors are blended and vegetables are soft. (I discovered that I like this best if it's nice and smooth, so I blend mine in my Blendtec.  I do this before mixing it together with the roux so there is less to blend.  Be careful with the hot soup - it took experimenting before I figured out how to NOT explode the hot contents all over the place  - for me that meant that I mixed just under two cups at a time and I started at the slowest speed and moved up from there until it was nice and smooth.)
3.  About 30 minutes before serving prepare a roux. Melt butter over low heat in a skillet and add flour. Stir constantly with a whisk for 5-7 minutes. Slowly stir in 1 cup hot soup. Add another 3 cups and stir until smooth. Add all back into the slow cooker. Stir and add the Parmesan cheese, warmed half and half, salt and pepper.  Add additional basil and oregano if needed (the slow cooker does a number on spices and they get bland over time, so don’t be afraid to always season to taste at the end).
4.  Cover and cook on LOW for another 30 minutes or so until ready to serve.

Stove-Top Version of Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup
If you want to make this recipe on the stove-top you can!  Here is the adjusted recipe:

3 cups diced tomatoes with juice (you can use canned)

1 cup finely diced celery

1 cup finely diced carrots

1 Tbsp fresh oregano or 1 tsp dried

4 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup flour

1 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated (I like more cheese, so add to taste)

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 cup finely diced onions

4 Tbsp fresh basil or 1 Tbsp dried

1/2 bay leaf

1/2 cup butter

2 cups half and half, warmed (if you want you can use whole milk, evaporated milk instead…or even skim if you want to skinny it up)

1 tsp salt

1.  Heat oil in 4 quart soup pot.  Add celery, onions and carrots.  Saute 5 minutes.  Add basil, oregano, bay leaf, tomatoes, and chicken broth.  Bring it to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until carrots are tender (15 minutes). (I discovered that I like this best if it's nice and smooth, so I blend mine in my Blendtec.  I do this before mixing it together with the roux so there is less to blend.  Be careful with the hot soup - it took experimenting before I figured out how to NOT explode the hot contents all over the place  - for me that meant that I mixed just under two cups at a time and I started at the slowest speed and moved up from there until it was nice and smooth.)

2.  While soup simmers, prepare a roux.  Melt butter over low heat, add flour and cook, stirring constantly, 5-7 minutes.  Slowly stir in 1 cup hot soup.  Add another 3 cups and stir until smooth.  Add back into soup pot.

3.  Simmer, stirring constantly, until soup begins to thicken.  Add Parmesan cheese and whisk to blend.  Stir warmed half and half, salt and pepper.  Simmer over low heat 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.