Tomato Basil Bisque

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1 cup celery, chopped
• 3/4 cup carrot, chopped
• 1/4 cup yellow onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3 cups tomato juice
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 (7 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 3 ounces tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 4 teaspoons sugar
• 1/4 cup fresh basil
• 2 tablespoons basil pesto

Recipe

• 1 in a large saucepan, cook celery, carrots, onion, and garlic in butter until vegetables are tender, but not brown.
• 2 add tomato juice, chicken broth, undrained tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, oregano, and pepper. bring to boiling; reduce heat. simmer, uncovered, about 30 minutes or until slightly thickened.
• 3 place half of the soup in a blender container or food processor bowl. cover; blend or process until smooth. repeat with remaining mixture.
• 4 return all of the mixture to the saucepan. stir in whipping cream and sugar; heat through. stir in fresh basil. ladle into warm soup bowls. top each serving with some of the pesto and garnish with fresh basil leaves, if you like. makes 8 side-dish servings.