Tomato Basil Soup

Ingredients

• 4 C. (8 to 10) tomatoes, peeled, cored and chopped, or 4 C. canned whole tomatoes, crushed
• 3 1/2 C. tomato juice
• 1/2 C. vegetable stock (or chicken stock)
• 12 washed fresh basil leaves
• 1 C. heavy cream
• 1/4 pound sweet unsalted butter
• salt to taste
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper, cracked