Creamy Tomato Bisque

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 5 large tomatoes or

  1 (28 ounce) can Italian tomatoes

• 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1-2 cup light cream
• 2-4 tablespoons sherry wine

Directions

1. 1

   In a deep saucepan, melt butter and saute onion and garlic until golden. Slice tomatoes (if using canned tomatoes, drain first) and add with dry mustard, salt, and pepper. Simmer, uncovered, 8 - 10 minutes.

2. 2

   Stir in tomato paste. (If tomatoes are not full-flavored, you may wish to add more paste.) Add flour and chicken broth, then bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Puree in a blender, then strain to remove seeds and skins. Add 1 - 2 cups light cream.

3. 3

   Reheat to serve, but do not boil. add sherry to taste. This soup keeps well and may be frozen.