Tomato Bisque

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds Ripe tomatoes (or 2 15-oz -- cans), chopped
• 1 medium Onion -- thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon Butter
• 1 Bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon Brown sugar -- heaping
• 2 teaspoons Finely chopped fresh basil -- (or 1 tsp dried)
• 2 Whole cloves
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 pint Light cream
• 1 cup Milk
• 6 large Croutons -- buttered
• 2 tablespoons Chopped chives

Preparation:

• Peel and seed tomatoes.
• Saute onion in butter and add the chopped tomatoes.
• Add bay leaf, sugar, cloves, salt, pepper and basil.
• Simmer, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes are thoroughly cooked, about 25 minutes.
• Remove bay leaf and cloves and transfer mixture to blender or food processor to puree.
• Strain.
• Add cream and milk and heat through.
• Serve topped with toasted buttered croutons.
• Sprinkle with chopped chives.