When the weather starts getting cooler I love making and eating soups of all kinds. Often I will make soup and take to work for us to share and one that is often requested is cream of tomato soup. I like mine thick and creamy and with a rich tomato flavor. Here is how I do it.
3 tbsp. butter
3 tbsp. olive oil
1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
5 heaping tbsp. flour
1/2 tsp. Mrs. Dash
1/4 tsp. baking soda
4 cups milk or half and half
4 cups crushed or pureed tomatoes
1 6-oz. can tomato paste
Heat the butter and oil together and add the chopped onion with a sprinkle of salt. Fry until the onion begins to brown a bit. Add the flour, baking soda and Mrs. Dash and stir well until the flour begins to brown a bit. Pour in the milk (or half and half), whisking constantly until it begins to boil and thickens a bit. Whisk in the tomato paste and then add the crushed tomatoes. It may become very thick when you add the tomatoes and if it is too thick, add a bit more milk until you get the right thickness. Heat until thoroughly hot. Eat with crackers or the traditional grilled cheese sandwich. Enjoy!
