Heat oil in a pan. Add bay leaf.

Also add ginger and garlic. Sauté.

Add diced onions and sauté for couple of minutes.

Once onions turn pink, add carrots. Saute again for vouple of minutes.

Then add diced tomatoes and salt. Let tomatoes cook.

After couple of minutes, add ketchup and red chili powder. Mix well.

Once tomatoes are cooked but not mushy, switch off the gas. Let the mixture cool completely.

Once cooled, add mixture to the blender along with some ice cubes. Blend into smooth puree.

Now strain the puree using a sieve in the same pan.

Turn on the gas and let it boil.

When it comes to boil, add some herbs and black pepper powder.

At the end, add corn flour slurry and stir. This will thicken the soup.

Switch off the gas. Our soup is ready. Adjust salt if necessary.

To prepare croutons, cut small cubes from a bread slices.

Preheat air fryer. Add them in the basket and spray oil. Air fry for 4 minutes. Alternately you can toast them on griddle or deep fry them.

Serve soup hot with croutons.