Roasted Garden Tomato Soup

Roasted Garden Tomato Soup
Summer is the time for the most delicious vine ripened tomatoes to be picked.  There are so many varieties to choose from.  Whether you grow your own in a garden, in patio planters or buy them at a farmer's market they are just superb in the summer.  This sweet and smoky soup is a perfect way to use them up, even those that are imperfect. 

*This deliciousness couldn't be any easier to make and can also be thickened with a little tomato paste to make an awesome marinara sauce. 

Ingredients:
5 to 6 large tomatoes or 8 or 9 medium, large chopped chunks (gently cut out any imperfections)
1 medium sized vidalia or sweet onion
5 small garlic cloves peeled and smashed
1 to 2 medium red peppers chopped, seeds and stems removed
Extra Virgin olive oil
4 sprigs of fresh thyme
1 sprig of fresh rosemary
Salt and pepper to taste
4 cups of vegetable or chicken broth
Optional: Pinch of red pepper flakes or a sliced fresh jalapeno

Take the chopped tomatoes, onions, smashed garlic, chopped peppers and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.  Use a large pan or 2 medium ones.  Sprinkle sea salt or kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (if you like a little kick add some red pepper flakes or a slice fresh jalapeno).  Place the sprigs of thyme and rosemary randomly all over and drizzle everything with the olive oil.  Place the pans in a preheated 300 degree oven and set for 45 minutes and forget it.  Check on them and add another 15 minutes until you see them all roasted and golden.  Remove the herb stems leaving any leaves that fell off during roasting.
Cool for at least 1 to 2 hours then blend.  Add this mixture to a pot and add the 4 cups of broth.  Simmer for a few minutes and serve with toast, a grilled cheese or even a quesadilla.  Enjoy!
*To turn this into a sauce simple heat a pot and add a drizzle of olive oil, add about 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and stir.  Slowly add the soup stirring constantly and you basically have thickened soup or an amazing slow-roasted marinara sauce. 

---