Nordstrom’s Tomato Basil Soup
A favorite copycat recipe: Nordstrom’s Tomato Basil Soup. It’s creamy, comforting and can be made in under 30 minutes.
Just when I think I have my shit together, I don’t. Pardon the language but hot damn I have a full plate. I don’t think- rather, I know- I’m alone when I say that being a mom (working or not) our plates often rotate between being full and overflowing. If it’s not after school activities it’s a sick kid. If it’s not work commitments it’s a copious amount of laundry. If it’s not an empty fridge that needs filling, it’s a science fair project. It it’s not a flooding furnace its a dirty bathroom. If it’s not volunteering at school the dogs need to be walked. I feel like this past week I was being pulled in thirteen different directions. My planner was full of penciled in appointments, conference calls, and way too many commitments to volunteer at school and/or play tennis. By weeks end, I was a hot mess. And one that desperately need a shower, for the record. When am I going to learn to say no? Just no. No, thank you. NOOOOOO!!!!! NO. NO. NO.
What is it that prevents us Mamas from saying no? It’s so simple really. But yet time and time again I find myself saying yes to everything under the sun only to leave myself feeling frazzled, resentful and wishing I’d said no in the first place. And ain’t no one got time for that. Why do I find it so hard to not over commit? My husband doesn’t have that problem- trust me. And I say that without sarcasm, I promise. He is so good about taking care of his needs. He has zero problem saying no when it doesn’t work for him. And as much as it drives me crazy sometimes, I think it’s because I’m just envious that putting himself first comes so naturally for him. Me thinks I need some pointers.
The last few weeks left me feeling so over scheduled that this week is the opposite. I literally crossed out chunks on my calendar to remind myself that saying NO is a good thing. I so desperately need to get some laundry done, catch up on emails and spend a day in my softies if I so choose to. (FYI- softies is what my Dad calls his sweats- it’s genius) So today I do nada. I’m taking a shower to start- hot damn is it overdue- and after that I’m not sure. I’ll probably take the dogs for a hike and run a few errands but after the last few weeks, today will seem like a vacation. I just might have lunch date with my DVR and a bowl of soup if I decide to get super crazy. I’ve got just enough of this soup leftover left to make it a meal for one. #Boom
xo, Kelley
PrintNordstrom’s Tomato Basil Soup
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 2 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
- 1 (14 1/2 oz) can of broth (could use chicken or vegetable)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- kosher salt and pepper
- parmesan cheese, optional
- fresh basil or parsley, optional
Instructions
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, warm the oil and butter; add the carrots, onion and dried basil and sauté, stirring occasionally until softened, 10 to 12 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes and the broth and bring just to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Remove soup from the heat. Purée the soup in the saucepan using a wand-type immersion blender; or, working in batches, purée in a blender or food processor fitted with a metal blade.
- Return the puréed soup to the saucepan, add the cream and place over medium heat. Add sugar. Warm until heated through. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Top soup with a handful of grated parmesan cheese and either fresh basil or parsley if desired.
13 Comments
Enjoy your no day (and week?,friend! It’s a hard thing to do, but you’ll love it when you do it! This soup, by the way, looks so comforting and good!
Why does taking care of ourselves and being a Mom seem like the un-doable? I now have teenagers and it’s taken me so long to prioritize self care. It shows my kids I need time for myself, and it’s so important for them to see that. I have to schedule time to workout and nobody better need me then! I love getting manicures and having time for my hobbies. Yes they need me less at this stage, but saying no and making time for me is coming easier and easier. You’ll get better at it Mama! Just remember to fill your calendar with some time for you, even if it doesn’t come natural. Delicious soup recipe, BTW 🙂
Love this post! I need a day in my softies!! And how is it that our husbands are so good at saying no?! It doesn’t phase josh either!
I’m not even a Mom and have all the time demand you write about. My new thing is to decide if it is a “hell, yes” or not. No hell yes, then the answer is no. Not hell no–just no. Hell yes, I’ll go skiing when I could/should be shooting a new recipe. 😉
Making this today, still hoping for the mushroom from the cookie swap. Thanks for your recipes Kelly.
I promise to make it by the end of the month! xo
I’m not a mom, but I can certainly relate. Saying “no” is always so hard for me, but in these last couple of years, I’ve been learning how to do it politely and diplomatically (even though sometimes I want to be a total 5 year-old brat and just shout “NO!”). The trick is getting honest with ourselves and deciding what activities, causes, and yes, people are a priority and from there, it is easier to decide what to say “yes” and “no” to. It’s become one of my most important life lessons and has already saved my sanity many times. Love tomato soup and *anything* from Nordstrom! xo
Saying “no” isn’t just exclusive to mamas! I think as women we tend to be people pleasers and take on too much. Way to take care of yourself, Flavia!! xo
From a mother who will always write pages when a paragraph will do, I noticed how long your introduction was when it could basically say “Here’s an easy recipe I love from an overcommitted and overworked foodie mama.“
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. Are you for hire? Perhaps I could hire you to write my blog.
Loved this recipe! Had this soup many times at Nordstrom and it is the best and easiest tomato soup recipe. Will make it often. I did substitute half and half for cream and it was still thick enough for me. Thanks for the recipe.
I often do the same. Thanks for the feedback!
Can this be made using fresh tomatoes?