Creamy Tomato Soup - A Classic

The weather is getting cooler and I find myself thinking of soup more often.  One of my favorites for lunch or dinner is a grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of tomato soup.  I found this recipe in Dierbergs Everybody Cooks (Sept 2011) and it's perfect!

1 Tbsp butter
1 cup finely diced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp hot pepper sauce
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 can (14 oz) tomato sauce
1 cup half-and-half
Grilled Cheese Croutons (recipe will follow)

In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat.  Add onion, garlic, basil, salt, pepper, and hot pepper sauce; cook stirring often until onion wilts, about 2 - 3 minutes.  Add tomatoes and tomato sauce; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer stirring occasionally for 10 minutes.  Use immersion blender to puree mixture or transfer mixture to work bowl of food processor fitted with steel knife blade; process until pureed.  Return to pan; stir in half-and-half; cook until heated through.  Ladle into serving bowls.  Sprinkle with Grilled Cheese Croutons.  (I'll post that recipe next.)

For a perfectly hearty meal, add a grilled cheese sandwich.    Mmm Good!