Though Thomas Jefferson grew tomatoes in his own garden, few of his fellow Americans had ever seen one and many people feared tomatoes were poison. Today tomatoes are grown in every state and tomato soup is a favorite soup of many people.
Ingredients Needed For Your Tomato Soup
1. 7 Ripe Tomatoes, about 2 1/2 pounds.
2. 1 Large Sweet Onion, diced very fine.
3. 1 Medium Celery Stalk, diced very fine.
4. 1 Cup Fresh Basil, diced very fine.
5. 1 Bay Leaf.
6. 3 Whole Cloves.
7. Water.
8. 4 Tablespoons Butter Or Margarine.
9. 1/4 Cup All Purpose Plain Flour.
10. 1 Teaspoon Ground Sea Salt.
11. 1 Cup Half and Half.
12. 3 Teaspoons Sugar.
Fresh Basil To Garnish The Top Of Each Bowl Of Soup.
Instructions For Making Your Tomato Soup
With a small sharp knife, remove stem ends from tomatoes, cut into bite-sized chunks.
In a 3 quart sauce pan over medium heat, heat the tomatoes, onion, celery, basil, bay leaf, and cloves to boiling. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer until the vegetables are very tender, about 20 minutes. Stir the mixture occasionally to prevent any sticking. Add a little extra water if the mixture reduces too quickly.
Into a medium bowl press the mixture through a wire sieve, discard seeds, skin, and cloves.
Measure tomato puree. If necessary add enough water to make 4 cups tomato puree.
In same saucepan over low heat, melt the butter or margarine. Stir in flour and salt until well blended.
Stir in tomato puree, cook, stirring until thickened. Add half and half and sugar. Heat. Garnish the top of each bowl of soup with a fresh basil leaf. Serve with Grilled Homemade Pimento Cheese Sandwiches. See below.
There is nothing like Homemade Pimento Cheese grilled on sandwiches. Oh man that is some wonderful eating. Especially when served with the above Tomato Soup.