Roasted Veg Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese

This roasted tomato soup is perfect for the cold weather or as an everyday, cozy meal with a side of grilled cheese sandwich! Top it with your choice of extra virgin olive oil, heavy cream or creme fraiche, basil, and some seasoned croutons for a tangy but balanced bowl of comfort. What sets this Roasted Tomato Soup apart is not just its incredible taste but also its effortless preparation.

Here's the bonus: it's a make-ahead wonder! The flavors deepen and intensify, rendering it even more exquisite on the second day. Embracing dietary inclusivity, this soup is a gem for both vegans and vegetarians. So, whip up a batch, let the comforting aromas fill your home, and revel in the joy of a bowl that's not just a meal but a heartwarming experience, perfect for any day, any weather.

Ingredients you will need-

Tomatoes: You can use vine or plum tomatoes that bring a burst of natural sweetness and a robust, full-bodied flavour to our Roasted Tomato Soup.

Red Pepper: A vibrant red pepper adds a touch of sweetness and complexity to our soup, complementing the tomatoes with its distinct flavour profile. Roasting alongside the tomatoes, it contributes to the soup's rich and savoury notes, making each spoonful a delightful balance of flavours.

Onions or Shallots: As they roast, they caramelize, enhancing the overall richness and complexity of the dish.

Garlic Bulb: The garlic bulb, roasted to golden perfection, infuses the soup with a mellow garlic flavour. This aromatic ingredient adds warmth and depth without overpowering, creating a harmonious blend that elevates the entire dish.

Olive Oil: A drizzle of quality olive oil not only enhances the roasting process but also adds a luxurious, silky texture to the soup. Its fruity notes contribute a delightful undertone, rounding out the flavours and bringing a touch of Mediterranean charm.

Salt and Pepper: Simple yet essential, salt and pepper season our soup, allowing the natural flavours of the ingredients to shine.

Chicken Stock: Bringing a savoury undertone and depth to the soup, chicken stock serves as the liquid base. You can also use vegetable stock for a veg/vegan version.

Basil & Rosemary: Their gentle fragrance elevates the overall flavour profile, making each spoonful a refreshing and delightful experience. A sprig of rosemary during the roasting process imparts a subtle, woody aroma to the soup. It adds a touch of complexity that harmonizes beautifully with the other herbs.

Sourdough Bread Slices: Accompanying our Roasted Tomato Soup is the classic comfort of sourdough bread. Slices are toasted to perfection, providing a crunchy contrast to the velvety soup. Their tangy flavour and chewy texture make them the ideal vessel for our golden Grilled Cheese.

Softened Butter: Butter, softened and generously spread on the sourdough slices, creates a golden, crispy exterior for our Grilled Cheese.

Mozzarella Cheese & Red Cheddar: A dynamic duo of Mozzarella and red Cheddar transforms our Grilled Cheese into a melty masterpiece. The creamy Mozzarella and sharpness of the red Cheddar combine for a rich, gooey filling that perfectly complements the crunch of the bread.

Get the Oven Ready

Preheat your oven to a cosy 200 degrees Celsius, creating the perfect environment for our ingredients to transform into flavour-packed perfection. Take 8-9 vine tomatoes, 1 red pepper, 2 small onions (or shallots), and a garlic bulb, giving them a rough chop.

Roast the veggies

Arrange the chopped veggies on a baking tray, generously drizzling them with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt. Enhance the aroma with a sprig of rosemary, then let them roast in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until they reach a glorious caramelized state.

Blend and Infuse

Once cooled, blend the roasted ingredients with fragrant basil leaves until the mixture achieves a smooth consistency.

Transfer this delightful blend to a pot, add chicken stock, and let the symphony of flavors come to a bubbling boil. If you find the soup a bit on the acidic side, drop in a small carrot while the soup is boiling.

Grilled Cheese Crescendo

As the soup simmers, assemble Mozzarella and red Cheddar between slices of sourdough bread. Spread softened butter on top, then grill or toast until the bread is golden and the cheese is irresistibly melty.

Croutons

You can also make some bread croutons to go with your tomato soup, and drizzle your bread chunks with olive oil. Add some salt and dried herbs if you want and bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes.

Presentation and Enjoyment

Ladle the tomato soup into bowls, adding a drizzle of cream, a dash of olive oil, and a sprinkle of pepper for that finishing touch. Serve it alongside the golden goodness of your grilled cheese, creating a meal that's not just satisfying but a celebration of flavours.

Ready to savour the warmth and joy in every spoonful? Let's get cooking!

Hi!! My name is Maleeha ,  your passionate host and fellow food enthusiast, and I'm thrilled to take you on a delectable journey through the world of baking, cooking, and dessert-making

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