Rich Tomato Soup

Ingredients

 * 1/2 cup chopped onion
 * 3/4 cup green or sweet red pepper
 * 1 tbsp margarine
 * 1 1/2 tsp fresh snipped basil (or 1/2 tsp crushed dried basil)
 * 1/8 tsp ground red pepper
 * 2 cups tomato juice
 * 1 cup buttermilk
 * fresh basil leaves or lime slices (optional)

Directions
In a small saucepan cook onion and green or sweet red pepper in margarine till very tender. Stir in basil and ground red pepper, if desired. Cook and stir for 1 minutes more. Remove from heat. In a blender container combine cooked vegetable mixture, tomato juice and buttermilk. Cover and blend till smooth. Return mixture to saucepan and heat through. Or, chill thoroughly. Garnish each serving with fresh basil leaves or lime slices