Perfect Homemade Tomato Soup | Vegan Nook

Ingredients

• 10 to 12 medium plump, ripe, garden tomatoes
• 4 tablespoons vegan butter, divided
• 1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon uncooked rice
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 1/2 cups water
• salt and pepper