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?

Pasta e Fagioli

1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, diced (1 cup)
1 large carrot, julienned (1 cup)
3 stalks celery, chopped (1 cup) or 2 tsps celery flakes or 1 tsp gr. celery
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 14.5-ounce cans diced tomatoes
1 15-ounce can red kidney beans (with liquid)
1 15-ounce can great northern beans (with liquid)
1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
1 12-ounce can V-8 juice
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 pound (1/2 pkg.) Ditalini pasta
1/4 cup fresh shredded Parmesan cheese

1.  Brown the ground beef in a large saucepan or pot over medium heat. Drain off most of the fat.
2.  Add onion, carrot, celery and garlic and saute for 10 minutes.

3.  Add remaining ingredients, except pasta, and simmer for 1 hour.

4.  About 50 minutes into the simmering, cook the pasta in 1 1/2 to 2 quarts of boiling water over high heat.  Cook for 10 minutes or just until pasta is al dente, or slightly tough.  Drain.

5.  Add the pasta to the large pot of soup. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes more and serve with a sprinkle of  Parmesan cheese.  


I was able to pull this Pasta e Fagioli recipe off the internet from a secret recipe site.  Whenever we go to Olive Garden this is my favorite and it's rare that I ever order anything else.  I love it and this recipe is just as good!  Very close to OG's although at the end it wasn't as soupy as I personally like it but the hubby prefers it thick.  I did add a cup of beef broth.  I was very satisfied with one soup bowl full, I also served it with Pioneer Woman's famous Rosemary Buttered Rolls.  Great way to end a Saturday evening :) ~isavortheweekend.