Tomato Basil Soup

This is the best soup ever! Even in the summertime, it’s light and delicious and the perfect meal with a salad and hunk of french bread!

Tomato Basil Soup

Ingredients:

4 C. (8 to 10) tomatoes, peeled, cored and chopped, or 4 C. canned whole tomatoes, crushed
2 C. tomato juice
2 C vegetable stock
12 to 14 washed fresh basil leaves
1 C. heavy cream
1/4 pound sweet, unsalted butter
salt to taste
1/4 tsp. cracked black pepper

Preparation:
Combine tomatoes, juice and stock in saucepan. Simmer 30 minutes. Puree, along with the basil leaves, in small batches, in blender, food processor (or better yet, one of those handy hand-held food blenders, right in the cooking pan).

Return to saucepan and add cream and butter, while stirring over low heat. Garnish with basil leaves and serve with your favorite bread.