Italian Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Italian Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwiches-Joseph Sciascia

There is nothing more comforting like a nice warm bowl of tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich, especially on a cold day or when you’re not feeling 100 percent.   I have served soup in shot glasses as appetizers for many years; it gives party guests a “taste” of the comfort food that we all love.  This crowd pleasing and family friendly recipe with warm you all over from your head to your toes, so get in that kitchen and start whipping up a batch of that comfort.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

4 tablespoons butter

2 celery ribs, diced

1 carrot, diced

1 onion, chopped

¼ cup flour

2 28-ounce cans of whole San Marzano tomatoes

4 cups of vegetable stock

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 tablespoon sugar

½ teaspoon pepper

2 teaspoons kosher salt

     Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

8 slices of good white bread, like potato bread, brioche or sourdough

8 slices of sliced sharp cheddar cheese

Olive oil cooking spray or softened butter

Frying pan or Panini press

Directions

1. Heat the butter in a heavy bottomed 6 quart soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and sauté the celery, carrot and onions for about 6 minutes
2. Turn the heat down to simmer and add the flour and stir until well incorporated, cooking for a minute or so, stirring vigorously so not to burn the flours
3. Add the tomatoes, vegetable stock, basil, sugar, pepper and salt and crush the tomatoes in half with a hard edged spatula or cut them with kitchen shears cook simmer for 30 minutes
4. With a hand immersion blender or stand blender, blend soup until smooth and silky, if using a regular blender, puree soup in batches, hot liquid can rise quickly and cause a mess
5. Serve in bowls, cups or shot glasses for a fun appetizer along with grilled cheese sandwiches

Grilled cheese sandwiches

1. Place 2 slices of cheese between 2 slices of bread, making 4 sandwiches
2. Either use cooking spray or butter both sides of bread and place on preheated Panini press or skillet on the stove and cook until golden brown.
3. Serve with soup for a comforting meal