Homemade Fresh Tomato Soup

My absolute favorite thing about the summer is the fresh homegrown tomatoes. I can't get enough of them. Last year I had 19 tomato plants in my garden. This year I hope to have at least that many, if not more. I love them fresh off the vine, in between two slices of bread, made into salsa, eaten with a dash of salt and a little balsamic vinaigrette, added to numerous dishes--I even like them grilled. At our family get togethers there are two plates of tomatoes. One for me and one for everyone else. No joke.

Therefore, I always get a little sad this time of year since I haven't had a homegrown tomato since late October (I refuse to buy store bought tomatoes) and know I won't have one again until Julyish. However, two summers ago I found a fresh tomato soup recipe that lets me extend that homegrown tomato taste well into winter. I make it in large batches and freeze it in various size tubs. Whenever I want that fresh tomato taste, I just thaw out some of the soup! Campbell's hasn't got anything on this recipe.

You'll Need:
2 tbsp butter/margarine
1 onion, chopped
2 lbs tomatoes, quartered (I use seeds and all)
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 cups chicken stock
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (1 tbsp dried)
1/2 tsp fresh thyme (1/4 tsp dried)
1/3 cup whipping cream (optional)
Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions:

• Melt Butter in a large stock pot.
• Add onion and cook until softened, around 5 minutes
• Stir in tomatoes, carrots, chicken stock, parsley and thyme
• Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 15-20 minutes
• Puree soup
• Add cream (if using) and reheat
• Salt & pepper to taste

Honestly, I've never added the cream so I can't tell you if it's good with that ingredient or not. I like to let the taste of the tomatoes shine and cream would just gunk that up. I let the soup cool down a bit and then use a stick blender and puree the soup right in the pot. Once it's completely cool I add it to the containers and place it in the freezer for later use. Thaw and add a grilled cheese sandwich and you've got a tasty dinner on those cool winter evenings.