Best Homemade Tomato Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion sliced
• pinch salt
• 2 lbs tomatoes 10 med tomatoes
• 2-3 cloves garlic sliced
• 1 tbsp uncooked white rice – I used basmati rice this is your thickening agent
• another big ol’ pinch of salt
• a sprig of fresh thyme or basil or both
• 1/2 bay leaf if you have one
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 cup water
• 1 more tbsp butter
• another pinch of salt

Instructions

1. In a large pot, add butter, olive oil, onion and pinch of salt. Steam until soft (do not brown).
2. While onions are steaming, wash and core your tomatoes.
3. Add garlic to pot of onions and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Add tomatoes, salt, rice, bay leaf, garam masala and your fresh herbs to the pot of onions.
5. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until your tomatoes are well-cooked rice is tender.
6. Add the last 3 ingredients (water, butter, pinch salt) and cook until butter melts.
7. Remove from heat, and take out bay leaf and herb sprigs.
8. Puree to your liking.
9. Strain to remove seeds.