• Cocktails & Caterers

One of our favorite wintertime meals is a tomato basil soup paired with a crusty grill cheese sandwich. Now, we all know how to make a grilled cheese - but, do you know how to make the best tomato basil soup in the world? Well ... you're in luck because today we're going to show you how.
Of course, you are going to need all the ingredients as well as a few everyday kitchen items to prepare the soup. You will also require some pretty dinnerware to serve it up in style. Don't worry, we have you covered. We'll show you everything you'll need to add to your William Sonoma Wedding Registry, so you can prepare and serve this delicious tomato basil soup. Scroll down for the items to add your registry, a complete shopping list and the recipe.

tools for making soup

If you want to make this soup or any soup for that matter, you are going to need to have the following items listed below. Of course, these kitchen necessities are not only for soup and can be used for almost everything that you prepare in the kitchen. Set yourself up for success and add these items to your William Sonoma Wedding Registry.

1. Le Creuset Signature Cast-Iron Dutch Oven with Gold Knob
2. Williams-Sonoma Edge-Grain Cutting Board 3. Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender
4. Williams-Sonoma Olivewood Spoons, Set of 4
5. Williams-Sonoma Nonstick Classic Ladle
6. Anchor Hocking Glass Measuring Cups 7. Microplane Elite Rasp Grater
8. Opinel Essential Knife, Set of 4

shopping list

6 tablespoons olive oil
4 large carrots, peeled and diced
1 large onion, sliced
1 tablespoon dried basil, crushed
3 28-ounce cans whole peeled Roma tomatoes
1 quart chicken broth
1 pint heavy cream salt and pepper to taste crumbled gorgonzola

directions

1. In a large, heavy saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add carrots and onion and cook until beginning to soften, 10 minutes, then add basil and cook until vegetables are completely soft, about 5 minutes more.

2. Add tomatoes and broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 20-30 minutes, or up to 45 minutes if time permits.

3. After allowing soup to cool somewhat, purée in a blender/food processor or use your immersion blender until smooth, doing so in batches if necessary. For a much silkier texture, strain the purée before returning to the pot.

4. Stir in cream little by little over over low heat, until desired texture is reached and soup is just heated through. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve warm.

5. Top with a pinch of Gorgonzola Cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.

tabletop must-haves

Besides the spoons and the immersion blender, you are going to need something in which to serve your tasty soup. Below is everything you need to properly serve your guests from Fortessa. Feel good about adding Fortessa products to your William Sonoma Wedding Registry because Fortessa guarantees the durability of its dinnerware with a 10-year warranty against chipping for registered products. Yes, you read that correctly 10 year guarantee.

1. Placemats 2. Fortessa Flatware (shown is Arezzo Brushed Flatware)
3. Washed Linen Napkin4. Fortessa Plate and Bowl5. Fortessa Rim Mug

Before you run to the kitchen to make this cozy soup, remember that you still have the opportunity to win a trip of a lifetime for you and your love. Which includes the following -
Domestic airfare for two
3 day/2 night stay at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa VIP tour & cooking class at the original Williams-Sonoma store VIP tour & wine tasting at Silver Oak Vineyard
2 dinners at some of Sonoma’s finest restaurants Brought to you by Williams-Sonoma, The Fairmont and Fortessa. Click HERE TO WIN before January 31, 2016 * This is a sponsored conversation written by The Wedding Chicks on behalf of Fortessa. The opinions and images are all ours. However, the recipe is from Serious Eats.