Soup and Sandwich

Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwich

SOUP DIRECTIONS

2 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes, with juice

1 cup finely diced celery

1 cup finely diced carrots

1 cup finely diced onions

1 tsp dried oregano or 1 T fresh oregano

1 T dried basil or 1/4 cup fresh basil

4 cups chicken broth

½ bay leaf

½ cup flour

1 cup Parmesan cheese

½ cup butter

2 cups half and half, warmed

1 tsp salt

¼ tsp black pepper

1.  Add tomatoes, celery, carrots, chicken broth, onions, oregano, basil, and bay leaf to a large slow cooker.

2.  Cover and cook on LOW for 5-7 hours, until flavors are blended and vegetables are soft.

3.  About 30 minutes before serving prepare a roux. Melt butter over low heat in a skillet and add flour. Stir constantly with a whisk for 5-7 minutes. Slowly stir in 1 cup hot soup. Add another 3 cups and stir until smooth. Add all back into the slow cooker. Stir and add the Parmesan cheese, warmed half and half, salt and pepper.  Add additional basil and oregano if needed (the slow cooker does a number on spices and they get bland over time, so don't be afraid to always season to taste at the end).

4.  Cover and cook on LOW for another 30 minutes or so until ready to serve.

GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH DIRECTIONS

4 slices of cheddar cheese

8 slices of bread

1 stick butter, melted

Hot griddle

Start these in the last 30 minutes of the soup.  With a pastry brush, brush melted butter on one side of all the bread slices.  Place a slice of cheese between two slices of bread, butter side out.  Place as many sandwiches on the hot griddle that can fit.  Brown on both sides.  Slice in half before serving.

The richest, creamiest tomato soup ever.  So savory and delicious.  Our daughter Elise had been craving tomato soup so she looked this recipe up, bought all the ingredients and this is what I came home to on Friday evening after work. She started it and put it in the crockpot to cook all day.  I only had to do the last few steps plus make the sandwiches which overall wasn't much.  I've been under the weather with a bad cold and this hit the spot.  My only gripe is that it had carrots, I don't like cooked carrots, but they were big enough to take out so that wasn't too bad.  I love having a sandwich accompany my soup too, I know my meat and potatoes hubby liked it too.  Everyone gave it a thumbs up. I love soup.  I could live on soup.  How about you?