Cream of Tomato Soup with Basil and Spices Recipe

Ingredients

• 0.5 stick unsalted butter (or margarine , or 4 tbsp olive oil )
• 2 medium onions , thinly sliced
• 3 large carrots , chopped moderately small
• 6 cloves garlic , minced
• 3 cans whole tomatoes in juice (optional: no salt )
• 4 cups water and enough instant chicken stock to make 4 cups of stock
• 8 leaves fresh basil , finely chopped
• 1 tsp dried basil , crumbled
• 0.5 tsp allspice
• 0.5 tsp nutmeg
• 1 cinnamon stick
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups heavy cream (alternative: soy milk , untested)
• 4 leaves fresh basil , finely chopped