Vampire Blood Tomato Soup

prep time:: 15 min
total time:: 1 hr

Makes 4 servings

A wonderful soup to serve for Halloween!

ingredients

3 tbls olive oil
1/2 fennel bulb (about 2 1/2 cups)
1/2 large onion (about 1 cup)
4 garlic cloves, smashed
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp fennel seed
1 (28 oz) can plum tomatoes (San Marzano is recommended)
2 cups LOW SODIUM vegetable broth
2 cups tomato juice
6 basil leaves, torn
ground pepper to taste

directions

Heat olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Add fennel, onion, garlic, salt fennel seed and tomatoes (drained, crushed and reserve the juice). Cook about 5 minutes. Add tomato juice, broth, extra tomato juice and basil leaves. Bring to boil, stir and reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook about 30 minutes. Remove from pot into blender or food processor and puree. Stir in pepper to taste and serve hot.