Tomato Basil Soup

It is snowing still. The storm (why are snow falls called storms? It always seems so gentle and peaceful and romantic) began yesterday morning and is still sleepily covering the world with a sweet excuse to curl up with some nice comfort food and family.

As such, I have already begun to think of what to make for dinner. This weather makes me want to be healthy which is a good thing since there are so many treats around this time of year.

But when I think healthy, family, comfort food, I think tomato soup.

The soup which I have a love/hate relationship with. I grew up with two kinds of tomato soup. Campbell's canned, and Grandma's homemade. I don't think I even need to say which was superior. Since I didn't have Grandma's recipe and was too lazy to make hers, I quit eating tomato soup all together. Campbells was on the bottom of the totem pole for soups I liked.

I got older and would always order tomato soup at restaurants. Divine! And now, I am so excited to share this recipe which we are having for dinner tonight.

It comes from a restaurant in TX called La Madeleine.

La Madeleine Tomato-Basil Soup

Ingredients

4 cups tomatoes, peeled, cored and chopped, or 4 cups canned whole tomatoes, crushed
4 cups tomato juice
12 - 14 washed fresh basil leaves, plus additional for garnish, chopped (or 1 TBSP dried)
1 cup whipping cream (or half and half)
1/2 cup sweet, unsalted butter, softened
Salt to taste
1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
Crusty bread (optional)

Directions

Combine tomatoes and juice in saucepan. Simmer for 30 minutes over
medium-low heat. Cool slightly, then place in a blender or food
processor. Add basil and process to puree; this will have to be done in
batches.

Return mixture to saucepan. Add cream and butter. Stir over low heat
until butter and cream are incorporated. Stir in salt and pepper before
serving. Garnish with more fresh basil and serve with fresh, crusty
bread. Makes 8 servings.

Per serving: Cal 237 Fat 22g Fiber 1g Chol. 67 mg Sodium 165 mg Carbs 10g Calcium 45g

Recipe by: La Madeleine French Bakery & Cafe, Dallas TX

Buen Provecho!