Tomato Soup & Pesto Grilled Cheese

• Produce

  • 4 Basil, medium to large leaves
  • 3 Garlic cloves (about 3 teaspoons
  • 2 32 ounce can Tomato
  • 1 Yellow onion, small

• Canned Goods

  • 1 1/4 cups Vegetable or chicken stock

• Condiments

  • 1 Basil pesto, homemade or store bought

• Baking & Spices

  • 1/4 tsp Pepper
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1 tbsp Sugar

• Oils & Vinegars

  • 2 tbsp Olive oil

• Bread & Baked Goods

  • 1 White bread

• Dairy

  • 2 tbsp Butter
  • 1 Cheddar cheese, grated
  • 3/4 cup Half & half

Found on stuckonsweet.com

Description

Ingredients

• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves (about 3 teaspoons), minced
• 1, 32 ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 1, 32 ounce can diced tomatoes (do not drain)
• 1¼ cups vegetable or chicken stock
• ¾ cup half & half (for lighter version) or heavy cream
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 4-5 medium to large basil leaves, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Homemade or Store bought basil pesto (you will only need a few tablespoons so save the rest for another recipe)
• White bread, sliced
• 2 tablespoons softened butter
• Grated cheddar cheese

Directions

• In a large pot, add olive oil and place over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and saute until softened.
• Add both cans of tomatoes, veggie or chicken stock, salt, pepper and sugar, cover pot and bring to a light boil then turn low and simmer for 20 minutes (or longer if you have the time. The longer the tomatoes have to cook the less acidic it will be). Check often to stir and to make sure bottom does not burn.
• Add basil and cream and stir.
• To make pesto grilled cheese, slather one side of the two pieces of bread with butter. Place one piece of bread butter side down and slather the top with pesto then cheese. Slather the other piece of bread with pesto (on the un-buttered side) and place on top of cheese. Grill over medium-low heat in a saute pan until browned and crisp on one side then flip and continue to grill until the other side is crisp, about 2 minutes per side. Serve with soup.