Cream of Tomato Soup

Description: I clipped this out of a magazine a few years ago and just whipped it up for my sick daughter. It is so good!

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup finely chopped shallots or 1/2 cup onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 3 cups chicken broth or 3 cups vegetable broth
• 3 cups crushed canned tomatoes
• 1/2 cup half-and-half
• salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley

Steps:

1. Heat 1 tbsp butter and olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add shallots and garlic and saute until soft, approx 3 minute Add broth and tomatoes, bring to boil. Lower heat and simmer uncoverd for 25 min or until mixture begins to thicken.
2. Remove from heat. Process in 2 batches in a blender until smooth. Return to pot and heat over med heat until soup is warmed thoroughly.Stir in half and half and 1 Tbsp of butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve topped with parsley and toasted saltines.