2 tbsp. butter
1 lg. onion, peeled and thinly sliced
1 carrot, chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled and coarsely chopped
1 (28 oz.) can peeled Italian plum tomatoes
3 c. chicken broth
1 sm. boiling potato, peeled and thinly sliced
2 tbsp. chopped fresh basil or 2 tsp. dried basil
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
Salt to taste
1 c. milk

Melt butter in a soup pot over low heat. Add onion, carrot and garlic. Cook covered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender. Crush tomatoes in their liquid and add to the pot along with chicken broth, potato, basil, nutmeg and salt. Cook covered, over low heat for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let cool to room temperature.

Puree in a blender, in small batches, adding a bit of milk to each batch. Return to soup pot and adjust seasonings. Before serving, warm through over very low heat. Do not boil.