Copycat La Madeleine's Tomato-Basil Soup

A copycat version of La Madeleine's popular Tomato-Basil Soup made with fresh tomatoes, tomato juice, fresh basil, cream, butter, and seasonings.

PREP TIME: 30 minutes

COOK TIME: 60 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 90 minutes

SERVINGS: 8 servings

INGREDIENTS:

-4 cups Tomatoes, peeled, cored and chopped (or Canned Whole Tomatoes, crushed)

-4 cups Tomato Juice (or Part Tomato Juice and Part Vegetable Soup or Chicken Stock)

14 Fresh Basil Leaves, washed

1 cup Heavy Cream

1/4 pound Sweet, Unsalted Butter

Salt, to Taste

Pepper, to Taste

1 teaspoon Lemon Juice

DIRECTIONS:

1. Combine tomatoes, juice and/or stock in a large Dutch oven. Simmer for 30 to 60 minutes. Puree, along with the basil leaves, in small batches, in a blender or food processor (or better yet, one of those handy hand-held immersion blenders, right in the cooking pan).

2. Return to the Dutch oven and add the lemon juice, cream and butter, while stirring, over low heat. Garnish with basil leaves and serve with your favorite bread or grilled cheese sandwiches.