Bistro Jeanty Tomato Soup

Now this is almost as good as Tom's Cove Clam Chowder! You say you have far to many tomatoes in your garden? You say you don't know what to do with about 2 1/2 pounds? Well, try this tomato soup. It is awesome!!

Bistro Jeanty Tomato Soup
Bistro Jeanty is a French restaurant.
6510 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599
(707) 944-0103

This is a published recipe from their web site, Bistro Jeanty

Ingredients:
· 2 1/2 lb. tomatoes - ripe, cored and quartered
· 1/2 cup butter - unsalted
· 1/2 lb. yellow onions - sliced
· 6 ea. garlic cloves
· 1/4 cup tomato paste
· 1 ea. bay leaf
· 1/2 tbl. whole black peppercorns
· 1 tsp. dried thyme
· 1 cup water (use only if tomatoes are not ripe and juicy)
· 4 cups heavy cream
· 1-2 tbl. butter
· salt - to taste
· 1/2 tsp. ground white pepper
· 1 lb. puff pastry - defrosted if frozen
· 1 ea. egg - beaten with 1 tbl. water

Directions:
1. Melt the 1/2 cup butter in a large stockpot over medium-low heat. Add the onions, cover and cook for about 5 minutes. Do not let the onions color. Add the tomatoes, garlic, tomato paste, bay leaf, peppercorns, thyme and water if needed. Simmer over low heat for 30-40 minutes, until the tomatoes and onions are very soft. Puree in a blender (working in batches) or use a hand-held immersion blender; strain. Return the soup to the pot. Add the cream, salt, white pepper and the remaining 1-2 tbl. of butter to taste. Bring soup back to boil.

2. Let the soup cool for 2 hours or overnight (in the refrigerator).

3. Divide among six 8-ounce soup cups or bowls. Roll out the puff pastry to 1/4 inch. Cut 6 rounds slightly larger than your cups or bowls. Paint the dough with the egg wash and turn the circles egg-wash side down over the tops of the cups, pulling lightly on the sides to make the dough tight like a drum.

4. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

5. Lightly paint the top of the dough rounds with egg wash without pushing the dough down. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the dough is golden brown. Do not open the oven door in the first few minutes or the dough will fall.

6. Serve immediately.

Makes 6 servings.

Ah, no one said it was healthy. Just said it is awesomely good! Cheers! Here is an Instructional Video or a How-To Video on making the soup. Enjoy!