IRISH BLUE CHEESE AND TOMATO SOUP

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
• 2. Rub a bit of olive oil on your hands, and coat each of the tomato halves.
• 3. Put them on a rimmed baking sheet, and roast in the oven for 30 minutes.
• 4. Take them outta the oven, and chop the tomatoes roughly in a food processor or by hand.
• 5. In the bottom of your soup pot, cook the bacon over low heat until it's as crisp as you like it.
• 6. Take the bacon outta the pot and put it on a plate covered with paper towel, and set aside.
• 7. Over low heat, add the butter into the pot, along with the onion, celery and carrot.
• 8. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 1-2 minutes, until the onion is translucent.
• 9. Stir in the flour, and mix well until it's completely incorporated with the butter in the pot.
• 10. Pour in the heated chicken stock, and stir well until the stock thickens slightly.
• 11. Crumble the cheese into the pot, and add the chopped tomatoes.
• 12. Bring the soup to a boil, stirring to help melt the cheese.
• 13. Take the pot off of the heat, and use an immersion (stick) blender to puree the soup until smooth.
• 14. Or, let the soup cool slightly, and process in batches in a blender or food processor; then, put the soup back into the pot.
• 15. Put the pot back on the stove, and over low heat stir in the cream.
• 16. Cook for one minute, until the soup is hot but not yet at the simmer.
• 17. Serve the soup in individual bowls, topped with bacon.
• 18. Garnish with the chopped parsley