Cream of Fresh Tomato Soup

INGREDIENTS

3 tbsp

good olive oil

1 1/2 cups

chopped red onions (2 onions)

carrots, unpeeled and chopped

1 tbsp

minced garlic (3 cloves)

4 lb

vine-ripened tomatoes, coarsely chopped (5 large)

1 1/2 tsp

sugar

1 tbsp

tomato paste

1/4 cup

packed chopped fresh basil leaves, plus julienned basil leaves, for garnish

3 cups

chicken stock, preferably homemade

1 tbsp

kosher salt

2 tsp

freshly ground black pepper

3/4 cup

heavy cream

Croutons, for garnish