Fresh Tomato Fennel Soup

Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• 4 cups fresh tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped (about 2 1/2 lbs.)
• 2 cups chicken stock (preferable homemade)
• 1 1/2-2 cups fennel, chopped, fronds reserved and strings removed
• 1/2 cup dry wine
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/8 teaspoon sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons pernod (optional)
• 2 teaspoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon fennel leaves, chopped

Recipe

• 1 combine tomatoes,stock,1 cup fennel,wine,onion,garlic,salt, bay leaf, pepper and sugar in large saucepan.
• 2 bring to boil;reduce heat to medium, cover and cook 20 minutes.
• 3 add remaining cup fennel and cook 15 minutes.
• 4 stir in pernod and tomato paste and boil 3 minutes.
• 5 remove from heat;season with additional salt, if needed, then stir in parsley and butter.
• 6 ladle into bowls, top with chopped fennel fronds and serve immediately.