tomato bisque

this is my mother's favourite. and it's a real cinch to make, since most of it is canned. if you want a less processed soup, buy organic canned tomatoes, etc. the original recipe suggests garninshing with croutons, but i would rather serve it with bread and cheese.

ingredients:
4 T butter
2 onions, diced
2 crushed garlic cloves
1 can (28 oz) while tomatoes
1 can (48 oz) tomato juice
2 bay leaves
8 oz cream cheese
2 cups half and half
salt and pepper to taste

instructions:
-melt butter in medium saucepan and saute onions and garlic over medium heat until soft.
-add tomatoes, tomato juice and bay leaves. simmer 20 minutes.
-let cool slightly then remove solids and put them in a food processor with some liquid and the cream cheese. process until smooth.
-return to saucepan and add cream. warm, but do not boil.

serves 8

original recipe by lynn nelson from carry out cuisine, featured on the busycooks.about.com site in summer, 2001. changes made by devon.