200g/7oz carrots, chopped
2 celery sticks, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 large onion, chopped
1 large sprig fresh thyme
750g/1陆lb ripe plum or vine-ripened tomatoes, roughly chopped
200ml/7fl oz passata
1 bay leaf
salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tbsp olive oil
陆 tsp sugar
500ml/17fl oz vegetable stock
100ml/3陆fl oz single cream or low-fat cr猫me fra卯che
crusty bread and butter, to serve
splash dry sherry