Fresh Tomato Bisque

A creamy and flavorful soup made with ripe tomatoes, herbs, and light cream, topped with buttered croutons.

Ingredients

• 2 lb ripe tomatoes (about 6)
• 1 onion, sliced thin
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp chopped fresh basil
• 1 pint light cream
• 1 cup milk
• 6 large toasted butter croutons
• 2 tbsp chopped chives

Method

1. Skin and seed the tomatoes.
2. Sauté onion in butter, then add chopped tomatoes.
3. Add bay leaf, sugar, cloves, salt, pepper, and basil.
4. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes are thoroughly cooked (about 25 minutes).
5. Remove bay leaf and cloves, then puree the mixture in a blender (or strain through a coarse sieve).
6. Add cream and milk, then heat through.
7. Serve hot, topped with toasted butter croutons and garnished with chopped chives.