tuscan tomato soup

a delicious healthy tomato soup!

serves 8-10

1/4 c. olive oil
4 tbsp. butter
4 carrots, peeled & finely diced
3 med. onions, finely minced
4 stalks celery, finely diced
3 qts canned tomatoes w/ juice OR 14 large ripe, fresh tomatoes, peeled, seeded, chopped
1/2 c. finely chopped parsley
salt & pepper
6 leaves fresh basil (optional)

1. heat oil & butter in heavy kettle.
2. cook the carrots, onion, & celery for about 20 min, or until very tender.
3. add tomatoes; continue cooking over moderate heat 25-30 min longer.
4. stir in parsley & basil, season w/ salt & pepper.

variation this soup can be strained, pureed, & thinned with light cream.  stir a teaspoon of pesto into each bowl & top w/ a dallop of sour cream.