Homemade Roasted Tomato Basil Soup with a Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich

Spring adds new life and new beauty to all there is.

Jessica Harrelson

Despite some warm days, there's nothing more comforting than a bowl of soup with a cheesy type of sandwich to make things seem all good. 

Homemade Roasted Tomato Basil Soup with a Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich

Cook's Notes: 

Skip the canned soup

and splurge making your own homemade batch. 

Ingredients:

• 6 large ripe tomatoes cut in half
• 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1-1/2 cups chopped sweet onions
• 3 large garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1 (28 oz.) can of whole plum tomatoes, with juice or San Marzano Tomatoes
• 1-14 oz. can garlic, basil, and oregano crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed and torn
• 1 teaspoon thyme or oregano
• 2 cups chicken stock, low sodium
• 1/4 cup cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 400 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• Gently toss the tomatoes with 1/4 cup olive oil and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste, and roast for 45 minutes.
• In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the onions, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt. Sauté until onions are translucent and start to brown, about 10 minutes. Last 3 minutes of sautéing add in minced garlic.
• Add in the 2 cans of canned tomatoes, basil, thyme, or oregano, roasted tomatoes, including the juices, Parmesan cheese, and chicken stock. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring the soup back to a simmer and cook for 40 minutes, uncovered.
• In two batches puree in a blender. Return soup to pot and add in 1/4 cup cream, stir until mixed.
• Serve with croutons and/or more Parmesan cheese.

Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich

Cook's Notes: 

Use firm bread for better toasting. I used a panini maker but a fry pan works well too.

Ingredients:

• Bread
• Deli ham
• Honey Mustard
• Tomato Slices 
• Torn spinach leaves
• Cheese slices

Directions:

• On a sheet of wax paper butter one side of bread. 
• Flip over and spread mustard on the other side of the bread slice. 
• Assemble the sandwich using this photo as a guide

The dessert in the photo was a mini ice cream treat previously posted

Black Cherry Chunk Pistachio Mini Pie
https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2023/06/mini-desserts.html