Serves 6 Ingredients:
  • 1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (6-oz) can tomato paste with basil
  • 3 cups tomato juice
  • 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 15 – 20 fresh basil leaves
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup butter
  • Salt & pepper to taste
Grilled Cheese Croutons:
  • 12 slices Country Hearth English Muffin Bread
  •  9 slices American cheese
  • Softened butter
 
Directions: In a large sauce pan or Dutch oven, combine tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato juice, broth and sugar. Bring to a low boil and then simmer for 20 minutes. Add fresh basil, cream and butter until melted. Process in small batches in blender or use an immersion blender until soup is smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with grilled cheese croutons. To make croutons: Make grilled cheese sandwiches using 2 slices of bread and 1 ½ slices of cheese per sandwich. Using a pizza cutter, cut into 1″ cubes.