Tomato Garlic Soup with Parmesan Croutons

This came from one of my magazines. It has a lot of flavor even though it is a light soup. I made it with basil instead of parsley to add a little more flavor. We had a tossed salad and baked bread for a nice dinner.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 4  large tomatoes, cored (about 2 1/2 pounds)
• 2  quarts water
• 2  quarts  ice water
• 1 1⁄4 cups  uncooked seashell pasta
• 4  teaspoons olive oil
• 3⁄4 cup  finely chopped red onion
• 8  cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1  cup water
• 1  tablespoon  chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
• 1  tablespoon  chopped fresh chives
• 1  teaspoon  chopped fresh oregano
• 1  teaspoon  chopped fresh thyme
• 2 (14 ounce) cans fat-free chicken broth
• 1  tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 8  slices  diagonally cut French baguettes (about 1 inch thick, 1/2 oz)
• 1⁄2 cup  grated fresh parmesan cheese (2 oz)
•  fresh thyme sprig

Directions

1. Score bottom of each tomato with an"x".
2. Bring 2 quarts water to a boil in a dutch oven.
3. Add tomatoes cook 30 seconds.
4. Remove tomatoes with a slotted spoon, plunge tomatoes into ice water.
5. Drain and peel.
6. Cut each tomato in half crosswise.
7. Push seeds our of tomato halves using the tip of a knife, discard seeds.
8. Chop tomatoes.
9. Cook pasta according to directions, omitting salt and fat; drain.
10. Toss pasta with 1 teaspoon oil.
11. Cool completely.
12. Heat 1 Tablespoon oil in dutch oven over medium-low heat.
13. Add onion, cook 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
14. Add garlic, cook 3 minutes or until onion is tender stirring frequently.
15. Stir in the tomatoes, 1 cup of water, parsley, chives, oregano, thyme, and broth; bring to a boil.
16. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
17. Add pasta, vinegar, and pepper; cook 1 minute or until thoroughly heated.
18. Preheat broiler.
19. Place bread slices on a baking sheet, and top each slice with 1 Tablespoon cheese.
20. Broil 1 1/2 minutes or until lightly browned.
21. Serve with the soup.
22. Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs, if desired.