Homemade Tomato Soup

This is a hearty soup with a hint of smoke from adding a few cooked crumbled bacon pieces. The savory flavor of this soup is delightful. It is easy to make and full of nourishing goodness!

Ingredients

4 slices bacon
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
half of a yellow onion, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon flour
4 cups chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1 28-ounce can of chopped tomatoes
half & half

Directions

Fry the bacon in large pan until crisp and brown. Remove from pan and cool.
Add the carrots, onion and garlic to the pan and saute for 5-10 minutes until they are slightly soft.
Add the tomato paste and stir for a few minutes, then add the flour by sprinkling it over the veggies and stir for about 2 minutes, until incorporated into the tomato paste.
Pour the tomatoes and their juice into the pan and add the chicken stock, thyme, bay leaf and stir until combined. Simmer the pot for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add a half cup of half & half and taste. If the consistency and flavor needs more half & half, add more and stir then taste until you get the desired flavor you like.