Tomato Basil Bisque - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 medium onions, chopped
2 large garlic cloves, minced
4 tablespoons butter
1 (28 ounce) can whole tomatoes
1 (46 ounce) can tomato juice
2 bay leaves
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 pint half-and-half
salt and pepper
lemon juice
3/4 cup fresh sweet basil, chopped

Preparation

Saute the onions and garlic in the butter until soft.
Add the tomatoes, tomato juice, and bay leaves; simmer for 20 minutes.
Remove from heat and let cool.
Drain the tomatoes, reserving the juice, and puree them in a blender or food processor with the cream cheese.
Mix the puree with the reserved juice.
Add the light cream and season to taste with salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
Add freshly chopped sweet basil.
Simmer for 10 minute and serve with bread bowls.