Ingredients
Serves: 4-8 servings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
3 pounds fresh garden tomatoes, see note (or if using cans, two 28 ounce cans plum tomatoes, diced with juice)
½ cup good-quality extra virgin olive oil
2 cups diced onion
1 cup peeled and diced carrots
1 cup diced celery
1 ½ tablespoons chopped garlic
2 bay leaves
1 cup chopped fresh basil, divided
2 large sprigs thyme left whole
2 large stalks Italian flat-leaf parsley, stems left on and left whole
1 cup vegetable broth
2 5.5 ounce cans tomato juice
1 tablespoon sugar
5 tablespoons tomato paste, divided
2 teaspoons kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Pinch of red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon butter
½ cup heavy cream, optional
Your favorite grilled cheese sandwich, cut into sticks for serving, also optional
Preparation
