Classic Tomato Soup With Bacon

Total Time: 50 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 2
• 2 slices smoked bacon, cut into thin matchsticks
• 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
• 1 small carrot, halved and thinly sliced (3/4 cup)
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons flour
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1 1/2 cups canned diced tomatoes, well drained
• 2 sprigs thyme
• 1 fresh bay leaf
• 1 garlic clove, lightly crushed
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream

Recipe

• 1 render bacon over medium heat in a 3-quart saucepan until crisp, about three minutes. remove bacon to paper-towel lined plate and set aside, reserving the rendered fat in the saucepan.
• 2 increase heat to medium-high and add the butter. sauté the onion and carrot for 8-10 minutes or until very soft and beginning to caramelize, stirring occasionally.
• 3 add the tomato paste and continue cooking about 2 minutes, stirring frequently. sprinkle the flour over the vegetable mixture, mix well and continue cooking for another minute.
• 4 gradually pour in the stock, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
• 5 add the diced tomatoes, thyme, bay leaf, garlic and bring to a boil. reduce heat and simmer soup for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• 6 remove soup from the heat. add the heavy cream and puree with an immersion blender until smooth.
• 7 season to taste and serve garnished with the crisped bacon.