Soak raw cashews in cold water for 1/2 hour before preparing soup. (You want to cover the cashews in the water to soak)
Strain the liquid from the diced tomatoes over a bowl. Reserve the liquid. Spread the tomatoes out on a sheet pan.
Drizzle 1/2 cup olive oil over tomatoes and season with salt and pepper.
Roast in the oven for 15 minutes.
Warm a soup pot over medium high heat. Add in 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Lower the heat to medium low.
Sauté onion, carrots, garlic in olive oil for 10 minutes until the vegetables soften and the flavors combine.
Add in reserved tomato juice, vegetable broth, bay leaves and roasted tomatoes and cook for 15 minutes.
Remove soup from heat and ladle into a high-speed blender canister. You will most likely have to do this in batches. Drain cashews and add to blender. Blend soup of high until creamy and smooth. Pour into serving vessel. Repeat with remaining soup ingredients. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
Serve soup warm with a garnish of fresh snipped chives.
Notes
Storage/Reheating/Freezing Instructions:You can freeze vegan tomato soup for up to three months.Store vegan tomato soup in a airtight container for up to 6 days in the refrigerator.Reheat vegan tomato soup in a saucepan over medium heat until warm.