Fresh tomato-basil soup

6 servings

Ingredients

Quantity Ingredient
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons Unsalted butter
1 tablespoon Oil
1 Onion, sliced or chopped
1 medium Leek, cleaned and finely chopped
1 medium Carrot, finely chopped
1 medium Stalk celery, finely chopped
Bouquet garni (see note)
2 tablespoons Chopped fresh basil or 2 teaspoons dried leaf
4 Ripe medium tomatoes, coarsely chopped
3 tablespoons Tomato paste
2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
2½ cup Chicken stock
½ cup Half and half or heavy cream
Salt and finely ground pepper to taste

Directions

Directions: 1. Heat butter and oil in a 2-quart saucepan. Add onion, leek, carrot, celery, bouquet garni, and basil and saute 5 minutes over low heat, stirring occasionally. 2. Add tomatoes and tomato paste and cook about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with flour and mix well. Add chicken stock, cover, and simmer about 20 minutes. Remove bouquet garni. 3. Pour into food processor fitted with steel blade or into blender and puree. Pass through a fine strainer (use a rubber spatula to help force liquid through). 4. Return to saucepan and add half and half or cream. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 2 to 3 minutes.

Taste for seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot with fresh basil leaves or chopped parsley for garnish. Variation: Omit basil and add ¼ to ½ tsp. curry powder for a completely different taste. May be refrigerated for up to 1 day and served chilled. Advance Preparation: May be prepared up to 2 days ahead through step 3 and kept in refrigerator. Note: To make a bouquet garni, wrap a parsley stem, bay leaf, and a sprig of fresh thyme in cheesecloth and tie with string.

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