Tomato Bisque

Ingredients

• 2 pounds tomatoes, peeled and quartered
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 quart milk, scalded
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 cup finely crushed cracker crumbs (optional)

Preparation

1. Place tomatoes in a small Dutch oven; cook, uncovered, over medium heat until tender. Add soda, stirring well. Strain tomato mixture through a fine-meshed sieve, mashing pulp with back of a spoon; discard the pulp.
2. Return strained tomato mixture to Dutch oven; add milk, butter, salt, pepper, and cracker crumbs, if desired. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly heated.
3. Ladle into individual serving bowls. Serve warm.