Melt butter in medium saucepan until starts to brown. Add onion. Cook over medium heat until onion is softened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in pepper.
Stovetop instructions:
Add tomatoes, sugar, and Worcestershire and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 3 minutes. Add half and half and heat for 1 minute or until heated through.
Using an immersion blender, puree until soup is smooth*.
Pour into bowls for serving and garnish with freshly ground black pepper and fresh chopped basil if desired.
Vitamix instructions:
Place onion mixture, tomatoes, sugar, and Worcestershire into Vitamix and secure lid.
Start Vitamixon lowest speed and slowly increase speed to the highest speed (10). Blend for 5 minutes and 45 seconds.
Reduce speed to the lowest speed and remove lid plug. Add half and half (through lid plug opening) and replace lid plug. Slowly increase speed to the highest speed for 30 seconds.
Pour into bowls for serving and garnish with freshly ground black pepper and fresh chopped basil if desired.
Notes
*Alternatively, carefully add the soup to a blender and blend to desired consistency. Be careful with the hot mixture as it can be dangerous if the steam builds up.