Cream Of Tomato Soup

Cooking Instructions

Combine the seasoning mix ingredients in a small bowl. Bring the cream just to the boiling point in a small saucepan, remove from the heat and set aside.

Melt the butter in a heavy 3-quart pot (do not use cast iron) over high heat. Add the onions and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, for 12 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the seasoning mix and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and the remaining seasoning mix, cover and bring to a rolling boil. Uncover, stir well, and cook hard for about 3 minutes. Stir in the stock and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Uncover, raise the heat to high, and cook for 10 minutes more. Stir in the parsley and remove from the heat. Put the soup into a food processor or blender in 2 batches and process until coarsely puréed but not quite smooth. Pour into a large bowl and stir in the reserved cream.