NO.5 Tomato Basil Soup(international soup)

5. Tomato Basil Soup

Ingredients
1 cup chopped celery
1 fine chopped yellow onion
1 cup chopped carrots
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
8 cups diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup red wine
1 pinch white pepper
2 bunches fresh chopped basil leaves
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
4 cups whipping cream
salt and pepper to taste

Technique
Sauté vegetables and garlic slowly in olive oil for 10 minutes. Vegetables may be chopped in a food processor as long as they are not too fine. Add diced tomatoes (fresh skinned and seeded vine ripe tomatoes should be used when in season) . Add red wine. Simmer 2 hours over low heat. If the mixture is still hot be careful not to burn yourself, purée in small batches Return the puree to the soup pot and add cream, seasonings and basil. Bring to a light boil to finish.

Garnish with croutons, sour cream or creme fraîche

Yield 1 gallon or 16 servings