Tomato Soup For The Soul

This is a good tasting tomato soup.
With fresh cream for a velvety smooth flavor
accentuated by hints of red pepper and oregano.
Adding baking soda to the tomatoes
keeps the milk from curdling.

Ingredients:
5 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped onion
5 tablespoons flour
4 cups milk
1/2 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups crushed tomatoes

Directions:
Melt the Butter in a soup pot.
Add the onion and cook over medium heat,
stirring, until the onion is softened.
Sprinkle the flour over the butter mixture
and continue to stir and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.
Slowly add the milk, bay leaf, sugar,
and salt and continue to cook
and stir until slightly thickened.
Stir the baking soda into the tomatoes.
Add the tomatoes to the milk,
and bring just to a simmer.