Old Fashioned Cream of Tomato Soup

How to make Old Fashioned Cream of Tomato Soup Recipe - One of my favorite ways to use home-canned tomatoes is in this simple, creamy soup.

Makes 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1 quart peeled, chopped, fresh tomatoes, or 1 quart home-canned tomatoes, or 1 (28-ounce) can Italian-style tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon dried leaf thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried leaf basil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/2 pint whipping cream (1 cup)
Celery leaf

Method:
In a large saucepan, heat butter. Add onion. Saute 2 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Whisk in milk. Cook, stirring, until thickened. Add tomatoes with juice.

Simmer 10 minutes. Turn mixture into a blender or food processor fitted with the steel blade. Process until fairly smooth. Return soup to pan.

Add thyme, basil, salt and pepper. Stir in cream. Heat to serving temperature. Serve hot garnished with a celery leaf.

Variation:
Yellow-Tomato Soup: Substitute yellow tomatoes for red tomatoes.