Tomato Basil Soup

One place I love to eat is La Madeline. If you have never been there you dont know what youre missing. It is a French Bistro serving sandwiches and soups. They are famous for there tomato basil soup. Simple to make and sooo delish. I always have some in the fridge and some in the freezer. It's great to dip your grilled cheese into or eat plain on a cold or rainy night. Since the 'cold front' has blown in, I thought it would be the perfect time for a hot steamy bowl.

Tomato Basil Soup
Adapted from La Madeline's Recipe

2 28 oz cans of Tomatoes
1 large bunch of fresh basil
4 cups of tomato juice, veggie or chicken broth
1 cup of heavy cream
1 stick of sweet unsalted butter
salt and pepper to taste
lemon juice (optional)

Add together in a large pot your tomatoes and juice or broth. Let it cook covered on medium low for about 30 minutes.

Puree the soup and the basil in small batches in your blender. Return to saucepan. Add cream and butter, while stirring over low heat. Garnish with basil leaves and serve with a hearty bread.

Enjoy!