FRESH TOMATO SOUP WITH GRILLED CHEESE

THERE IS NOTHING BETTER ON A COLD WINTERS DAY THAN A HOT BOWL OF FRESH TOMATO SOUP AND A GRILLED CHEESE, TO ME THAT IS THE ULTIMATE COMFORT FOOD!!! IT'S LIKE TOMATO SOUP AND GRILLED CHEESE WERE MEANT TO GO TOGETHER LIKE POPCORN AND A MOVIE. 

THIS TOMATO SOUP HAS BIG CHUNKS OF TOMATO, PASTA, AND LOTS OF CHOPPED FRESH BASIL. COMBINE THAT WITH A GRILLED CHEESE THAT HAS HAM, MOZZARELLA AND CHEDDAR AND YOU HAVE A COMPLETE, HARDY MEAL THAT IS KID FRIENDLY, AND THEY WILL BE BEGGING YOU FOR MORE.

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 1/2 POUNDS TOMATOES {4 POUNDS QUARTERED, 1/2 POUND CHOPPED}
• 2 TABLESPOONS OLIVE OIL
• 1 CLOVE GARLIC, MINCED
• 4 SCALLIONS, CHOPPED
• 1 1/2 TABLESPOONS HEAVY CREAM
• KOSHER SALT AND FRESHLY GROUND PEPPER
• 1/2 CUP MINI BOW-TIE PASTA OR OTHER MINI PASTA
• 1/2 CUP SHREDDED MOZZARELLA CHEESE
• 1/2 CUP SHREDDED SHARP CHEDDAR CHEESE
• 4 SLICES MULTIGRAIN BREAD
• 2 THIN SLICES BLACK FOREST HAM
• CHOPPED FRESH BASIL, FOR TOPPING

DIRECTIONS:

1. PUREE THE QUARTERED TOMATOES IN A BLENDER.
2. HEAT 1 1/2 TABLESPOONS OIL IN A POT OVER MEDIUM HEAT. ADD THE GARLIC AND HALF OF TE SCALLIONS AND COOK, STIRRING, 2 MINUTES.
3. INCREASE THE HEAT TO MEDIUM HIGH; STRAIN THE PUREED TOMATOES THROUGH A MESH SIEVE INTO THE POT. STIR IN THE CHOPPED TOMATOES, 1 CUP WATER, CREAM, 1/2 TEASPOON SALT AND 1/4 TEASPOON PEPPER.
4. BRING TO A SIMMER AND COOK UNTIL THICKENED. ABOUT 5 MINUTES. ADD THE PASTA AND COOK UNTIL TENDER, ABOUT 10 MINUTES; SEASON WITH SALT AND PEPPER.
5. TOSS THE REMAINING SCALLIONS WITH THE CHEESES; DIVIDE HALF THE MIXTURE BETWEEN 2 BREAD SLICES.
6. TOP EACH WITH A SLICE OF HAM, THE REMAINING CHEESE MIXTURE AND THE OTHER 2 BREAD SLICES.
7. HEAT THE REMAINING 1/2 TABLESPOON OLIVE OIL IN A NONSTICK SKILLET OVER MEDUUM-LOW HEAT.
8. COOK THE SANDWICHES UNTIL THE CHEESE MELTS, 3 MINUTES PER SIDE; CUT IN HALF.
9. LADLE SOUP INTO 4 BOWLS; TOP WITH BASIL AND SERVE WITH THE SANDWICHES.

ACTIVE TIME: 30 MINUTES
TOTAL TIME: 35 MINUTES
SERVES: 4