Tomato Basil Soup with Grilled Cheese Recipe
I remember when I was a kid and used to go to my sister's house to see Auntie Wendy. She would always ask us if we were hungry, and if we said yes, she would make us tomato soup and grilled cheese. That memory inspired me to create my own version of tomato soup. In a pot, I sautéed onions in a mixture of butter and olive oil before adding fire roasted diced tomatoes, Italian herb diced tomatoes, and sundried tomato paste. I seasoned it with salt, pepper, oregano, and a hint of sugar. After simmering it to perfection, I blended the soup with fresh basil until smooth and creamy. I added some cream for a rich and velvety texture. Meanwhile, I made grilled cheese by spreading a butter, garlic, and herb mixture on slices of bread and layering them with extra sharp cheddar cheese and smoked Gouda cheese. I grilled the sandwiches until golden and crispy. To serve, I scooped the tomato basil soup into bowls and enjoyed it with the deliciously cheesy grilled cheese sandwiches.
Ingredients:
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Onions
- Canned fire roasted diced tomatoes
- Canned Italian herb diced tomatoes
- Sundried tomato paste
- Salt
- Pepper
- Oregano
- Sugar
- Vegetable broth
- Fresh basil
- Cream
- Slices of bread
- Extra sharp cheddar cheese
- Smoked Gouda cheese
Cooking steps:
- In a pot, melt butter with olive oil. Sauté onions until translucent.
- Add fire roasted diced tomatoes, Italian herb diced tomatoes, and sundried tomato paste to the pot.
- Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and a sprinkle of sugar.
- Pour in vegetable broth and stir well. Simmer for 20-30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, let the soup cool slightly before blending it with fresh basil until smooth.
- Return the soup to the pot and add cream. Heat over low heat until warmed through.
- In a separate bowl, mix together softened butter, minced garlic, and herb seasoning.
- Spread the garlic butter mixture on one side of each slice of bread.
- Layer extra sharp cheddar cheese and smoked Gouda cheese between the bread slices to make sandwiches.
- Heat a cast iron skillet and place the sandwiches in the skillet. Cook until golden and crisp on both sides.
- Serve the tomato basil soup in bowls and enjoy it with the grilled cheese sandwiches.
