Late Summer Tomato Bisque With Shaved Fennel Salad

To prepare tomatoes, cut the stem out of each with the tip of a knife and then cut tomatoes in half crosswise. Place one half, cut side down, on the outspread fingers of your hand, over a small bowl. Squeeze gently with the other hand until juice and seeds are released into the bowl. Repeat with remaining tomatoes. Chop tomato flesh into 3/4-inch pieces.

In a heavy pot, heat 3 tablespoons oil over medium heat and sauté onions and 3 cloves garlic until golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, broth, salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in 1 cup basil. If the tomatoes aren’t perfectly sweet, add a touch of honey. Allow the soup to cool slightly.

Purée soup in batches in a blender or food processor, or purée in the pot with a handheld immersion blender. Bring the soup back to a gentle simmer and add cream. Adjust the seasoning to your taste.

Combine 1/2 cup basil, capers, 2 cloves garlic and 1/2 cup oil in a blender or food processor and process until smooth.

Thinly slice fennel and radishes. (You may shave these on a mandolin if you are lucky enough to own one.) Toss together with olives, a pinch of salt and balsamic vinegar.

To serve: Ladle soup into soup bowls and swirl with Basil Caper Sauce. Top with Shaved Fennel Salad and fennel fronds.