Creamy Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup.

Today marks the first "measurable" snow fall of the season.  It's a day that brings such joy to some and such heartache to others.  No matter where your feelings of snow land, everyone loves soup.  Especially on days like today.  And especially with Christmas Radio playing on Pandora.  Oh.  And fresh bread.  Everyone loves fresh bread with hot soup.  Mmmm.  Can't.wait.for.supper!

Though, I am embarrassed to admit how long I've wanted to make this soup.  I got close once; buying some half and half.  Said half and half was dumped down the drain due to expiration.  (Ugh!  I hate being wasteful.)  Promise yourself right now that you will not wait long to make this; it's too good to wait and this is coming from someone who normally does not like creamy soups.

Creamy Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup

1 quart diced tomatoes (including juice) (could get away with 28 ounces if buying your tomatoes)

1 cup diced carrots

1 cup diced potatoes

1 can sweet corn (drained)

1 tablespoon dried onion

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon garlic pepper

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon seasoned salt

4 cups chicken broth

1 bay leaf

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup flour

1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)

1 1/2 cup half&half (slightly warmed)

Place tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, corn, onion, oregano, basil, pepper, salt, chicken broth, and bay leave into a soup pot.  Simmer 3 hours or until vegetables are soft.

Prepare a roux by melting the butter in a saucepan then adding the flour.  Stir for 5 minutes.  Slowly add 3 cups of soup to the roux (one cup at a time) - stirring in between until roux/soup mixture is smooth.  Add roux/soup mixture to the pot of soup.  Stir completely.  Add half&half and Parmesan cheese.  Stir.  Allow to sit for 20 minutes and serve.

I think this soup would be equally delicious with some shrimp added.  I had been thinking about adding it all afternoon, but opted not to because I wasn't sure what my husband would think.  Turns out he mentioned it while eating it for supper tonight.  Next time I'll defiantly give it a try; if you try it out first, let us know what you think!

I apologize for not including a picture, but trying to capture a good image of soup is hard for this amateur!