Mamu'S Chunky Tomato Basil Bisque Soup

• 1/2 cup celery, chopped
• 3/4 cup onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup carrot, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 28 ounces muir glen diced tomatoes
• 24 ounces v- 8 vegetable juice
• 6 ounces muir glen tomato paste
• 28 ounces muir glen crushed tomatoes
• 16 ounces muir glen tomatoes
• 16 ounces chicken broth
• kosher salt
• crushed pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 -3 tablespoons fresh basil, snipped
• 1 1 pint half-and-half cream or 1 pint fat-free half-and-half
• 2 -3 ounces heavy cream (optional)
• 4 ounces cream cheese

1. Saute the veggies in butter and olive oil combo until softened. Add tomato ingredients and spices. Simmer for 3 to 6 hours. Adjust thickness with more chicken broth or tomatoes.
2. About 5-10 minutes before serving, add the cream and cream cheese.

celery, onion, carrot, garlic, butter, olive oil, glen diced, vegetable juice, tomatoes, glen tomatoes, chicken broth, kosher salt, pepper, bay leaf, baking soda, fresh basil, cream, heavy cream, cream cheese

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/mamus-chunky-tomato-basil-bisque-soup-290693 (may not work)