Roasted Tomato and Goat Cheese Soup

Ingredients

• 12 ripe tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic
• peeled and smashed
• 1 yellow onion
• coarsely chopped
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 dried bay leaf
• 1/4 cup fresh goat cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425F.
2. Core and quarter the tomatoes and scoop out the seeds, reserving the seeds and cores for the stock.
3. In a large bowl, toss the tomatoes with the garlic, onion, honey, rosemary, 1 tablespoon of the vinegar, 3 tablespoons of the olive oil, and a dash of salt.
4. Spread the mixture on a baking sheet and roast for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Remove the rosemary and set aside.
6. Combine the tomato scraps, bay leaf, and 1 cup water in a pot and bring to a boil over high heat.
7. Decrease the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
8. Strain the stock into a bowl and discard the solids.
9. Rinse the pot and return the stock to the pot.
10. Add the roasted tomatoes.
11. Bring to a boil over high heat, then decrease the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
12. Let the soup cool for 10 minutes, then pour into a blender.
13. Add the cheese and blend until smooth.
14. With the blender running, add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.
15. Season to taste with salt.
16. Garnish the soup with the remaining 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar and a few grinds of pepper and serve.