You can’t go wrong with Homemade Tomato Basil soup and garlic cheesy French bread (I do a dairy free loaf without cheese as well). I have used this tomato basil soup recipe for years. As a matter of fact, I have used the recipe on the “Jenny Steffens blog” as inspiration since Pinterest came out, it was one of my very first pins. I tweaked the recipe a bit and lucky for you, I made it a tad more convenient and more kid friendly. Although, in my opinion, a good chunky soup is spectacular, my younger kids typically do not have the same view point. Thus, I use my Blendtec to make it nice and smooth. It’s really so yummy and easy!!
The Grilled Cheese Dilemma
Making Grilled cheese for two people is a synch! Am I right? However, making grilled cheese for a family of eight is a bit more precarious: I’m bound to burn a couple sandwiches. Can you hear the cries of small children echoing in the background as they discover their overly charred grilled cheese? I definitely hear it!
Using a skillet can definitely make things easier but then you have to clean your skillet. (I know, I’m whining!) As a result, making a load of grilled cheese sandwiches looses the convenience factor. Consequently, one day I decided to pick up some French bread on the way home from soccer practice drop-off to make Garlic Bread. I cut the bread in half, add all the yummy goodness and broil for a bit. Bam! It’s so delicious! Not to mention, clean up is easy: just throw the foil away that is was baked on!
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“Amping up” Your Tomato Soup!
Tomato Soup and Grilled cheese is a classic meal. Sometimes, it can fall flat and you just want to add some more flavor and substance to it. Subsequently, I love to add some sautéed shrimp to just give this classic some pizazz. Of course I must speak to frugality; I usually have some leftover shrimp in my freezer and so it’s usually pretty economical in that regard as well. The shrimp doesn’t need exact measurements. Namely, I use 1/2 pound to one pound of shrimp. Then, I sprinkle a little bit of cayenne pepper over the shrimp and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before I dump it into the oiled pan. Lastly, I add remainder of the seasonings like salt, pepper, or creole or a steak seasoning. The key is to not over-cook the shrimp. It really only takes like 5-7 minutes (especially in a cast iron skillet).
Some Great Products for Soup- Making!!
Easy Tomato Basil Soup
Ingredients
- ½ onion chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 14 oz. cans of crushed or diced tomatoes
- 1 14 oz. can of tomato sauce
- 2 cups stock (chicken or vegetable)
- 1 tsp sea salt (regular salt is fine)
- 1 tsp sugar
- ½ tsp fresh ground black pepper
- ½ dried basil
- 3 Tbsp fresh basil, julienned
- ¼ cup heavy cream to drizzle on top (optional)
- parmesan cheese (optional)
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- In a saucepan, saute onion in olive oil on medium heat for a few minutes until translucent and then add the garlic and saute for a minute. (being careful not to burn the garlic.)
- Add the crushed or diced tomatoes. Add the juice from the tomatoes, as well. After the tomatoes cook for a few minutes, add the tomato sauce.
- Add chicken stock, salt, basil, pepper and sugar.
For Smooth Soup
- If you want to the soup smooth, put all your ingredients except the chicken broth into your Blendtec. After it's smooth pour the puree back into the pot and add the chicken broth and whisk together. If you want to the soup smooth, put all your cooked ingredients into your Blendtec. Then add the chicken broth and blend away. Then let it simmer for a bit (10 minutes or so).The Bendtec has an option to warm soup and so you can all the ingredients at a time (if it fits- I have to 1 1/2 this recipe and so it doesn't really work for my family) and finish it off right in your Blendtec.
More Delicious Soups!
You have to try these amazing soups! They are so yummy and come together pretty quickly. You can also prepare most of them early and let them simmer in a slow cooker and eat later!
Made this tomato soup for dinner tonight! Yum! The fresh basil and swirl of heavy cream was a great addition to garnish with.
I’m so glad you liked it! If I don’t have canned tomatoes I substitute fresh and it’s so yummy! Thanks for trying my recipe!
Gonna make this for dinner tonight! I love the idea of doing cheesy french bread instead of individual sandwiches. Genius!
Thank you my friend, I don’y know why but it’s a game changer for me. It seems like so much less work but maybe it’s not. I hope it tickles your fancy!