4 cups tomatoes, peeled, cored and chopped, or canned whole tomatoes

3 cups tomato juice

1 cup vegetable or chicken stock

14 washed fresh basil leaves

1 cup heavy cream

1/4 pound sweet, unsalted butter

salt to taste

1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper

PREPARATION:

Combine tomatoes, juice and stock in saucepan. Simmer 30 minutes. Puree, along with the basil leaves, in small batches, in blender, food processor (or better yet, one of those handy hand-held food blenders, right in the cooking pan).

Return to saucepan and add cream and butter, while stirring, over low heat. Garnish with basil leaves and serve with your favorite bread.

NUTRITION:

244 calories, 23 grams fat, 10 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams protein per serving. This recipe is low in carbs.