Soak peas over night in cold water, and drain; add water or stock, and onion, and simmer about three hours or until peas are soft; press through a sieve; add milk and pepper, and thicken with bacon fat and flour blended together. Serve with croutons. If water is used in place of stock, add two slices of bacon and one and a quarter teaspoons of salt.

48.—RICE AND TOMATO SOUP

1 can tomatoes1 tablespoon sugar
½ onion2 cups boiling water
½ bay leaf1/8 teaspoon soda
3 cloves2 tablespoons bacon fat
1 teaspoon salt2 tablespoons flour
¼ teaspoon paprika½ cup cooked rice

Simmer tomatoes, seasonings, and water half an hour; press through a sieve, and add soda; melt bacon fat, and cook with flour until brown; add to soup, and stir until smooth; add rice, and serve.

49.—TOMATO BISQUE

2 cups tomatoes1 teaspoon sugar
1 slice onion1½ teaspoons salt
Bit of bay leaf1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 cloves3 cups hot milk
1 cup boiling water2 tablespoons butter
¼ teaspoon soda3 tablespoons flour

Simmer tomatoes, onion, bay leaf, cloves, and water for twenty minutes, and press through a sieve; add soda, sugar, salt, and pepper; thicken milk with butter and flour blended together, and add to tomato just before serving. Serve with croutons.

50.—TOMATO BOUILLON

1 can tomatoes½ bay leaf
2 cups water1½ teaspoons salt
½ cup onionDash of cayenne
½ cup carrot1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup celery tops2 tablespoons tomato ketchup
6 cloves

Simmer all ingredients except tomato ketchup for half an hour, strain through double cheesecloth, add ketchup, and serve either very hot or very cold. The tomato pulp should be pressed through a sieve and used for flavoring other soups or sauces.