Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 (28-ounce) cans whole tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves, for garnish

For the grilled cheese croutons

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 slices white or wheat bread
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Directions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a grill pan over medium-high heat. Spread 1/2 tablespoon butter over 1 side of each bread slice. Turn the slices over and top 2 slices with cheddar and place remaining 2 slices of bread on top, buttered sides up. Add sandwich to pan and grill until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted, about 2-3 minutes per side. Let cool for 1 minute and cut into 1-inch cubes.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, red pepper flakes and bay leaf and cook, stirring frequently, until onion is translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
  3. Stir in tomatoes and mash, using a potato masher, until broken down into smaller pieces. Stir in heavy cream and brown sugar.
  4. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until slightly thickened, about 8-10 minutes. Remove bay leaf.
  5. Puree with an immersion blender. Stir in vegetable broth until heated through, about 2 minutes; season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Serve immediately with “croutons”, garnished with parsley.