Tomato Bisque With Garlic Croutons

Total Time: 40 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 2 tablespoons bacon fat
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 celery ribs, diced
• 4 small tomatoes, diced
• 2 tablespoons basil, minced
• 2 cups tomato juice
• 2 cups v- 8 vegetable juice
• 1/2 cup tomato paste
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 (5 ounce) package garlic & herb spreadable cheese (boursin)
• salt and pepper
• chopped chives (to garnish)
• 1 loaf french baguette, diced medium
• 5 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 tablespoon thyme, chopped
• 1/2 tablespoon parsley, chopped
• 1/2 tablespoon rosemary, chopped
• 1/2 tablespoon basil, chopped
• 1 tablespoon granulated garlic

Recipe

• 1 for the tomato bisque: in a large soup pot melt bacon fat, add onions and celery. cook onions and celery until translucent, do not brown. add tomatoes, basil and cook for 2 minutes. add tomato juice, v-8 juice, tomato paste, chicken stock and simmer 15 minutes. add heavy cream and bring back to a boil. turn off heat and add the tub of cheese. add salt and pepper to taste.
• 2 for the garlic croutons: in a large bowl, mix all ingredients together. place the ingredients on a baking sheet and bake at 325°f until a golden brown, approximately 15 minutes.
• 3 final presentation: place soup in bowl, add croutons in soup and garnish with chives.