Tomato Soup -

Ingredients

• 3 tbsps olive oil
• 1 oz butter
• 1 1/2 lb tomatoes (chopped)
• 2 tbsps tomato puree
• 7 oz passata (good quality)
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 large onion (finely peeled, chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (peeled crushed)
• 2 sticks celery (finely chopped)
• 7 oz carrots (peeled finely chopped)
• 4 strips bacon (optional, finely chopped)
• 1 whole bay leaf
• 1 thyme (sprig of fresh)
• 1 pint vegetable stock
• 3 1/2 oz single cream
• 1 dry sherry (splash)
• salt (to taste)
• pepper (to taste)