Traditional Comfort Food with a Twist!
This classic Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese combo is perfect sweater weather food. Ultimate comfort flavors with a gourmet twist!
After moving to Rhode Island from India, I developed a love for a nice hot cup of Tomato soup on a cold winter day. Then, my American friends introduced me to pairing it with a classic grilled cheese sandwich. This became a staple in my early years in the USA – it was cheap, quick, easy, warming, and oh so satisfying. A regular feature on my weekly winter menu.
This week I decided to make a “grown up” version of both the soup and the sandwich. I use our Bruschetta dry spice mix in the soup to give it that deep slow-stewed flavor. You can also recreate that depth by adding some slow roasted cherry tomatoes to the soup before blending. Enjoy the healthy soup by itself with a dollop of pesto as a garnish or even a drizzle of Basil EVOO to add another layer of deliciousness.
Create a more filling and somewhat indulgent meal with the addition of this Pesto Grilled Cheese sandwich. I use a combination of a really sharp cheddar and a melty shredded mozzarella that together create the perfect balance of oozy and melty but flavorful with the tang of a strong cheddar. MMMMM!! I decided to BE BRAVE and add another of my favorites –a dollop of Pesto – after all, who doesn’t love basil and tomato paired together?
Enjoy this nice reminder of upcoming warmer days and summer flavors in a winter recipe that will warm you to the core.
Happy Cooking!
Tomato Soup with Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients
2 teaspoons O&V Unflavored Extra Virgin Olive Oil *
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped fennel
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups vegetable broth
1 (28oz) can crushed tomatoes
1-3 thyme sprigs
¼ cup dry O&V Bruschetta (Originale, Piccante, or Olive) *
Salt and fresh cracked pepper
8 slices thick cut sour dough bread or French bread
8 tablespoons shredded mozzarella cheese
Slices of white cheddar
4 tablespoons O&V Pesto alla Genovese *
4 tablespoons O&V Basil EVOO *
4 tablespoons Greek Yogurt (beaten well, till smooth)
Preparation
Heat the Unflavored EVOO in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes. Add the chopped fennel and continue sautéing an additional 5 minutes. Add the garlic and thyme, continue cooking till fragrant (another 3-4 minutes).
Add the broth and tomatoes to the pan, add cracked pepper and Bruschetta. Bring to boil, partially cover, reduce heat and simmer for 35 minutes. Remove from pan, discard the thyme and let cool enough to handle. Place the tomato mixture in a blender or food processor (you may need to do this in batches). Blend until smooth. Return the soup to a clean pot, season with salt to taste, and keep warm.
While the soup is cooking, lay the slices of bread on a clean surface. Sprinkle half the shredded mozzarella on 4 pieces of bread. Top with slices of cheddar. Carefully spoon one tablespoon of Pesto over the cheese (keeping away from the edges of the bread). Top with the other half of the shredded mozzarella cheese, and then with the remaining four slices of bread.
Brush the outside of the bread with half the Basil EVOO. Place a large pan on a low heat and add the cheese sandwiches placing them in the pan with the oiled bread directly on the pan. Let them cook for 8-10 minutes on low. While they are cooking, brush the tops of the sandwiches with the remaining Basil EVOO. After the bottoms have browned, flip the sandwiches over and let the other side brown for an additional 6-8 minutes. Remove sandwiches to a cutting board. Allow to sit for a few minutes and then cut in half.
Serve the soup hot with a garnish of basil and cracked pepper. You can also add a dollop of Pesto or a drizzle of Basil EVOO. Serve with the grilled cheese sandwiches.
Serves 4
Total Time: 50 minutes
Notes
* The Bruschetta adds that slow and long cooked flavor that is hard to replicate. Alternatively, roast a pint of cherry tomatoes with pepper, salt, olive oil and thyme for one hour at 375 F and add them to the soup along with the broth and crushed tomatoes.
* The Pesto alla Genovese is absolutely fantastic, but you can use another high-quality store-bought Pesto or make your own. Although I love the layered flavoring created by brushing the bread with the Basil EVOO, you can use a good quality unflavored oil instead.
Categories: Entrees, Soups & Salads, Snacks & Sides, Vegetarian, Dairy Free Option, Gluten Free Option, Unflavored EVOO, Basil EVOO, Pesto Alla Genovese, Bruschetta, Olive Bruschetta, Bruschetta Piccante, Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Best Pesto Grilled Cheese, Tomato Soup, Home-Made, Fennel, Sourdough Bread, Weeknight Meal, Mediterranean Diet, Plant Based
