Easy roasted tomato soup served with a simple, extra-cheesy grilled cheese sandwich is comfort food personified. Served with a swirl of cream and fresh basil, it's your childhood favorite all grown up.
1½kg (3lbs) Tomatoes Use ripe, seasonal tomatoes or replace with whole canned tomatoes. San Marzano tomatoes are excellent but any good quality Italian tomatoes can be used.
2tbspbalsamic vinegar
2tbspolive oil
1tbspsugar
1tspsalt
2red onionsfinely chopped
2garlic clovesfinely chopped
½cupfresh basil
2tsptomato paste
8cupsvegetable / chicken stock
½cupcream
salt & black pepper to taste
fresh basil to serve
for the grilled cheese sandwich
2slicesbread per person
2cupsgrated mozzarella
2cupsgrated mature cheddar
butter
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 200°C/390°F.
Place the tomatoes (if using canned tomatoes, add all the juices as well) in a roasting tray and add the Balsamic vinegar, olive oil, sugar and salt. Stir to combine and place in the oven for 25-30 minutes until the tomatoes are broken down and have started to caramelize.
In a large pot, sauté the onions in some olive oil until they are translucent and fragrant. Add the garlic and basil and fry for another minute.
Add the roasted tomatoes, tomato paste and sugar. Stir to combine all the ingredients and pour in the stock.
Lower the heat and cover the pot. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat and blend the soup.
Add the cream and season to taste.
To make the grilled cheese sandwiches, mix the mozzarella with the cheddar. Add ½ cup cheese to half of the slices of bread. Sandwich with the remaining bread. Butter both sides generously.
Cook in a non-stick pan, over medium heat until the cheese is melted and the sandwiches are golden brown on both sides.
Serve the tomato soup with a swirl of cream and fresh basil leaves with the grilled cheese sandwiches.