blondie's tomato basil soup

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh ripe tomatoes, peeled and diced
• - ~~~or~~~
• 15oz cans petite diced tomatoes
• 15oz cans tomato sauce
• 4 tablespoons real butter
• 3 tablespoons fresh chopped basil
• - ~~~or~~~
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper, optional
• 1/2 cup half and half
• - ~~~or~~~
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• - salt to taste
• 4 slices heavy grainy bread, toasted or not