Tomato And Celery Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/4 c. unsalted butter
6 lb. tomatoes, coarsely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely diced, save leaves
sugar
salt
fresh ground pepper
whipping cream, whipped until firm
croutons

Preparation

Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium heat.
Add tomatoes and bring to boil, stirring frequently.
Reduce heat, cover and simmer until tomatoes are soft and juicy, about 20 minutes.
Strain tomatoes through sieve over heavy large saucepan, pressing with back of spoon.
Add diced celery to tomatoes and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and cook 5 minutes.
Season with sugar, salt and pepper.
(Can be prepared one day ahead, cool, cover and refrigerate, re-warm before continuing.)
Ladle soup into bowls. Spoon dollop of cream over serving.
Sprinkle with croutons and garnish with celery leaves.
Makes 6 servings.