Winter Tomato Soup

This is yummy, yummy. I always use my hand blender thingy right in the pan, instead of transferring the hot soup to my blender. It's nice to float homemade croutons or basil on the top. Great with grilled cheese sandwiches! I found this years ago in A Taste of Oregon cookbook.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 2  tablespoons olive oil
• 1  large onion, thinly sliced
• 1  teaspoon thyme
• 1  teaspoon basil
•  salt and pepper
• 2  lbs Italian tomatoes (canned)
• 3  tablespoons tomato paste
• 3 3⁄4 cups chicken broth, divided
• 4  tablespoons flour
• 1  teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1  cup  cream (heavy or half and half)

Directions

1. In a saucepan melt butter and add olive oil, onion, thyme, basil and salt and pepper.
2. Cook, stirring, until onions wilt.
3. Add tomatoes and tomato paste.
4. Simmer 20 minutes.
5. Blend together 5 T of the chicken broth with the flour.
6. Add this to the soup, stir, then add rest of broth.
7. Simmer 30 minutes, stirring often to prevent burning.
8. Puree soup in blender.
9. Return to heat.
10. Add sugar and cream.
11. Simmer 5 more minutes.