Creamy Tomato Bacon Soup

Creamy Tomato Bacon Soup

Directions:

1 lb bacon (half for soup half crumbled for garnish)
1 cup onion (dice onion)
3 large garlic cloves (minced)
1 tbsp bacon grease (left over from cooking your bacon)
3 14 oz cans of Diced Tomatoes
1 tsp black pepper
2 cups chicken broth
1 tsp fresh basil (chopped)
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 cup cheddar shredded (for garnish)
1 tbsp basil ribbons (for garnish) 
1 box garlic croutons


Directions:

• In a large frying pan, cook bacon, remove half while still soft but cooked through,(this will be used in the soup) cook the rest till crispy, remove to paper towel to cool (this will be used as the garnish)

• In the same pan, sauté onions and garlic, in the bacon grease until soft.

• Add the tomatoes, pepper, and broth to the pot and cook over medium heat for 25 minutes.

• Add the cream and basil until warmed through and blend the soup until smooth in batches in a blender.

• Serve with crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese and garlic croutons