Creamy Tomato Basil Bisque Soup and other Fall Ramblings

Since Fall has arrived, it's time to make my favorite soup of all! There is something I have to admit. I can't make up my mind if I like tomatoes or not! I like tomatoes in soup, marinara sauce, cucumber and tomato salad but I don't really like them whole or on hamburgers or sandwiches. I'm a Gemini! What do you expect!

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 medium onion, diced

1 celery rib, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

3 tablespoons unbleached flour

4 cups chicken broth

2 cans (14.5 oz size) tomatoes

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 teaspoon sugar

2 bay leaves

2 teaspoons basil

1/4 cup cream

salt and pepper to taste

croutons and fresh parmesan for topping

Directions:

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, celery and garlic. Cook for 4 minutes. Stir in flour over low heat. Add broth, tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, bay leaves and basil; bring to a boil. Turn heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove bay leaves.

In a blender, carefully puree half the soup. Return to saucepan, stir in cream and season with

salt and pepper. Top with croutons or freshly grated parmesan cheese.

To add to this Fall weather, here are some cozy pictures and a sweet quote for you to enjoy.

Some comforting tea...

A well decorated autumn porch...

Some autumn fruit....

Warm baked pumpkin bread....

And a beautiful simple quote by Emily Bronte

Every leaf speaks bliss to me,

Fluttering from the autumn tree.

TIS AUTUMN!