Joe's Italian Tomato Basil Soup

This recipe was in the Birmingham News and it comes from a restaurant in Alabaster, AL called Joe's Italian. Joe's has the best tomato basil soup I have ever eaten!

• Ready In: 1 hr 50 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons butter
• 2  tablespoons olive oil
• 1  large yellow onion, chopped
• 1  tablespoon  minced fresh garlic
• 4  cups  ground tomatoes
• 1  cup chicken broth
• 1  teaspoon oregano
•  salt and pepper, to taste
• 1⁄2 cup heavy cream or 1⁄2 cup half-and-half cream
• 1⁄4 cup  chopped fresh basil

Directions

1. Melt the butter with the oil over low heat in a heavy bottom pot.
2. Add the onion; wilt over low heat for 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic during the last 2 minutes, stirring.
3. Add the tomatoes and broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and cover; cook over medium-low heat for 60 minutes. Season with oregano, salt, and pepper.
4. Add basil. Stir in the cream or half & half, simmer for another 30 minutes.
5. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
6. Note: When tomatoes are in-season use fresh tomatoes, blanch for 8 minutes and process with food processor. In the winter, use a San Marzano-type canned tomato, drain half of the liquid and process in food processor.