Rich Tomato Soup

Ingredients

 * ½ cup chopped onion
 * ¾ cup green or sweet red pepper
 * 1 tbsp margarine
 * 1½ tsp fresh snipped basil (or ½ tsp crushed dried basil )
 * ⅛ tsp ground red pepper
 * 2 cups tomato juice
 * 1 cup buttermilk
 * fresh basil leaves or lime slices (optional)

Directions

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