Saks Fifth Avenue Tomato Bisque - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter
1 large yellow onion
1/2 celery rib
3 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 (16 ounce) cans diced tomatoes (or 3 large fresh tomatoes, diced)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil (or 1 tablespoon dried basil)
2 (16 ounce) cans tomato puree
1 (16 ounce) can beef stock
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 bay leaf
salt and pepper (to taste)

Preparation

Heat butter in a large stock pot. Dice onion and celery and add to pot. Saute until the onion is transparent.
Sprinkle flour over onions one tablespoon at a time, stirring in each one thoroughly with a large spoon until paste forms.
Add garlic, diced tomatoes and basil; stir.
Stir in tomato puree and beef stock slowly, then whipping cream. The soup should be a rose color.
Add bay leaf and simmer on low for about 1 hour. Remove bay leaf before serving.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
8 to 10 servings.
Lovely served with pate sandwiches recipe #117904 for a special luncheon. Or, serve in shot glasses as a tasty first course!