Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
8         medium        ripe tomatoes cored -- coarsely chopped
2         cups          chicken broth
                        basil leaves -- for bouquet garni
2         whole         garlic cloves -- for bouquet garni
3         tablespoons   tomato paste
1/4       cup           sour cream for garnish
                        snipped chives

Preparation:

In a nonreactive saucepot, combine the tomatoes with the broth bouquet Garni and bring to a simmer. Cook covered over low heat for 15 minutes. Remove bouquet Garni from the soup and pass it through a sieve. Return the sieved mixture to the saucepan and whisk in the tomato paste; simmer until heated through or boil down until the desired consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper and garnish with sour cream and chives if you wish.