Grandma’s Tomato Soup

Ingrédients

Soup:

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium onion, diced

3 garlic cloves, grated

2/3 cup sherry (optional) (Sherry can be subbed with white wine.)

46 oz. tomato juice

15 oz. can petite diced tomatoes (optional) (can be left out)

2/3 cup heavy cream

2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more as needed

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 teaspoon celery seed

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano or

1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh oregano

1 tablespoon sugar

Chiffonade basil or dried basil (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat the butter and olive oil in a large saucepan and saute the onion until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add sherry and let cook halfway down. If you'd like the onions smaller place mixture in food processor for a few minutes. Return to pan. Add the tomato juice, petite diced tomatoes (if using), cream, salt, red pepper flakes, celery seed, oregano, and sugar. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer and simmer for 5 minutes.

2. Remove from the heat and add basil, if using.

Actually put the stuff in the food processor. It’s not optional