Gluten Free Creamy Tomato Soup (crock pot all day!)

This soup is really good for a cold winter day with a grilled cheese, or cute to take to a neighbor with some basil flat bread, or just a quick lunch warmed in the microwave.  It's not JUST tomatoes but also has other veggies for greater health benefits.  Let's get started!

This crisp bread is NOT gluten free, but I really like the glutino vegetable crackers for G free.

Here is what you need:  2 - 14 oz diced tomatoes, 1 cup diced celery, 1 cup diced carrots, 1 cup diced onion, 1 tsp oregano, 4 cups chicken broth, 1/2 cup gluten free all purpose flour (or regular if you are not going GF), 1/2 cup Parmesan, 1/4 cup butter, 1 pint half and half, 1 tsp salt, 
and pepper to taste

First dice up your carrots, onions, celery.  Put it all in your crock pot with the canned tomatoes and oregano; then put your temp on medium for 4-6 hours.  It will not hurt to have it on longer! 

I don't like this soup too chunky, so I take my hand mixer and give it a good go until it is simply the consistency I want. You can leave it chunky or put it in your blender if you don't have a hand blender. Your choice completely! 

About 30 minutes before serving melt your butter in a medium sized pan, add chicken broth, and flour keeping your temperature at a MEDIUM heat. You do NOT want to scorch the bottom or BOIL! 

 

SLOWLY add your pint of half and    half, while constantly whisking.

 Add your salt & pepper to taste, and Parmesan, then continue to whisk on a medium heat until thickened.  Be patient.  You don't want it gravy thick, but thicker than water for certain! 

 As it begins to thicken add a few cups of your soup to the pot.  You need to do this because I promise your half and half will begin to scorch on it's own. Heat, NOT BOIL, and add back to your crock pot.

This is such an easy and great home made soup!  Most of it you cook alone all day, and then it is an easy and quick completion when you get home.  I ate mine with gluten free vegetable crackers; but the boys had big fat grilled cheeses with 5 different cheeses.  

Sarcasm Note: ** These sandwiches are cheddar, American, pepper jack, cream cheese, and Colby grilled... you know...LOW FAT.