Creamy Tomato Soup

2- 28 ounce cans whole tomatoes

1- 32 ounce box chicken stock

1 large bunch fresh basil (more or less to taste)

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 stick butter plus 2 tablespoons butter

1 cup heavy cream

salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons flour

Add tomatoes, chicken stock, basil, and salt and pepper to a large pot and cook over medium high heat for 20 minutes to combine the flavors and reduce the liquid.   After 20 minutes, puree the soup with a hand mixer right in the pot.  Alternately, you can puree in batches in the food processor.

Add the butter and cream and bring to a simmer.  To thicken the soup, combine the 2 tablespoons room temperature butter and 2 tablespoons flour in a small bowl using a fork.  Stir into the soup and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring until thickened.  Taste for seasonings, and and salt and pepper to taste.