Tomato Florentine Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
• 2 carrots (peeled and diced)
• 2 celery stalks (diced)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons Italian dried herbs
• ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes (or red pepper flakes, optional for a bit of heat)
• 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes (2 x 14 oz cans)
• 4 cups vegetable stock (or chicken broth, you can use water and stock cubes)
• ½ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
• 5 cups fresh baby spinach (about 110 grams or 4 oz)
• 6 basil leaves (chopped or torn)
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Croutons
• Chickpeas
• Cooked chicken (diced or shredded)
• Extra fresh basil leaves