Quick and Healthy Tomato and Basil Soup

Week two of calorie counting.  It isn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.  Especially if you exercise and get to add those calories back on!  Plus, it is forcing me to try new recipes where I can determine an accurate calorie count.  It snowed last night (not enough to get me out of work though!) and it is still chilly so I thought soup and grilled cheese would be a perfect supper.  And super easy for a weeknight too!

Tomato and Basil Soup
What you'll need:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion
1 clove of garlic
1 28 ounce can of whole plum tomatoes
3-4 cups fat free chicken broth (I like my soup on the thicker side - if you like it soupier, add more broth)
1 cup fresh chopped basil
1 cup fat free half and half
1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
salt and pepper to taste

What you'll do:
Heat the olive oil in a pot.  Add onions and garlic and cook through.  Add the tomatoes and broth.  Bring to a boil and then reduce for a simmer for about 30 minutes, letting the soup thicken. 

Season with salt and pepper and add fresh chopped basil.

Blend with hand blender until smooth.  This will also help thicken the soup.

Add the half and half and fresh parmesan and serve.  We used light wheat bread and low fat American cheese with spray butter for our grilled cheeses.