Parmesan Tomato Basil Soup

INGREDIENTS:
4 stalks celery chopped into thirds to fit processor
4 medium carrots, peeled chopped into thirds to fit processor
1/2 large onion, peeled and quartered
3 cloves garlic, peeled
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup flour
4 cups low sodium chicken broth
2 14 oz. cans fire roasted diced tomatoes with juice
1 tablespoon dried basil or 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped**
1 teaspoon dried oregano or 1 tablespoon fresh oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 tsp EACH dried parsley, black pepper
pinch red pepper flakes optional
1 bay leaf
1-2 cups mil, half and half OR heavy cream***
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:
Add celery, carrots, onion and garlic to a food processor and pulse until finely minced (or mince
by hand).
Melt butter in oil in large Dutch oven/soup pot over medium heat. Turn heat to medium high, add
minced vegetables and saute for 4 minutes. Sprinkle in flour and continue to cook 1 minute, stirring
constantly.
Gradually whisk in chicken broth followed by tomatoes and all seasonings. Add bay leaf. Bring to a
boil then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until carrots are tender.
Add Parmesan cheese and whisk to blend. Stir in milk/half and half/cream/milk and gently simmer an
additional 15-20 minutes on low, stirring occasionally. Stir in additional chicken broth or cream to
reach desired consistency. Remove bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
You can serve the soup as is if you like the texture or proceed to puree with an immersion blender
or working in batches, transfer soup to blender and puree until smooth, being careful to let smoke
escape or it will explode.