Cream of Tomato Soup, Belgian-Style

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 lbs ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped or

  1 (28 ounce) can whole tomatoes, with their juices coarsely chopped

• 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• salt, to taste
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 1/2-4 cups beef broth or chicken broth, preferably homemade
• 3/4 cup heavy cream (or whipping)
• 8 tablespoons madeira wine or cognac (to taste)
• fresh ground black pepper

FOR GARNISH

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 ripe tomato, peeled, seeded, and cut into small cubes
• finely minced fresh chives, chervil or parsley

Directions

1. 1

   Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large soup kettle over medium heat. Add the onion and carrot and cook, stirring ocassionally with a wooden spoon, until softened but not browned, 8 to 10 minutes.

2. 2

   Add the tomatoes, sugar, cayenne, and a little salt. Cook gently over low heat for 20 minutes, stirring ocassionally. Let the tomato mixture cool slightly, then purée it in a blender or food processor or press it through a food mill. Set aside.

3. 3

   Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons butter in the soup kettle over low heat. Sprinkle in the flour and stir until smooth. Gradually add the broth while stirring constantly with a wire whisk. Continue to cook until you have a thick, velvety white sauce the consistency of heavy cream. Still whisking, let it boil up once or twice to get rid of any pasty flour taste.

4. 4

   Remove the soup from the heat and whisk in the tomato mixture. Let rest until just before serving. (The soup may be prepared a day ahead up to this point. Cool to room temperature and refrigerate covered.).

5. 5

   Gently reheat the tomato soup but be careful not to let it come to a boil. Stir in the cream and the Madeira (or Cognac). Season to taste with salt and pepper. The soup can be reheated later, but do not let it come to a boil or the cream will curdle.

6. 6

   Prepare the garnish: Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the tomato and sauté for 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper and stir into the hot tomato soup. Sprinkle with the minced fresh herbs and serve at once.