Lentil Tomato Soup

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 1/3 cups heavy cream
• 2 medium shallots, finely chopped
• 1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes
• 1 (15-ounce) can lentils, rinsed

Salt

1. In a medium pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Carefully add 1 cup heavy cream and bring to a boil over medium-high. Reduce the temperature to medium and simmer, occasionally stirring for 5 minutes, until the cream thickens, reduces to about a third of its initial volume, and resembles melted cheese while developing brown bits around the pot.
2. Add the shallots and continue stirring for 4 to 5 minutes, until there’s very little cream at the bottom and caramelized brown bits all around the sides of the pot.
3. Add the tomatoes and their juices, crushing them with your hands as you add them to the pot, or crush them inside the pot, using a potato masher. Add the lentils, 2 cups of water and a big pinch of salt to season all the liquid. Scrape the brown bits off the bottom and sides of the pot into the liquid, using a wooden spoon or spatula.
4. Bring to a boil over medium-high. Partly cover the pot with a lid and boil, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes. Add the remaining 1/3 cup of cream and season with more salt, if needed.
5. Serve right away, or blend the soup using an immersion blender until as creamy as desired.