Grown Up Grilled Cheese and My Favorite Tomato Soup

Isn’t there just something so comforting about soup and sandwiches? It can be as simple as you want it to be, or you can make it a little extra special just by changing things up a bit. I didn’t grow up on grilled cheese and tomato soup like most people, I actually acquired a taste for tomato soup as an adult. I would always buy it pre-made and spruce it up a bit with dried spices and Parmesan cheese…until about a year ago when I watched an episode of the Martha Stewart show where Katherine Heigl cooked up a pot of her favorite tomato soup. I was so excited about this soup that I made it that same day (or it might have been the next day…). I fell in love with its simplicity, it’s exactly what I think tomato soup should be, healthy and delicious. There is no cream in this recipe, however…it does obtain a cream-like texture after its been blended (I highly recommend using an immersion blender). I substitute a little bit of olive oil for the butter and I like to add freshly torn basil leaves to the soup when it’s almost ready to serve.
This soup is awesome. Click here for the recipe.

My favorite tomato soup went perfectly with an upgraded grilled cheese sandwich that was inspired by Ellie Krieger’s Sweet and Spicy Grilled Cheese. I didn’t have the exact ingredients to make Ellie’s sandwiches so I improvised and made them with what I had in the fridge. They turned out great and I will definitely be making these again. For those of you watching your calories (like I am), a good trick when making these is to use freshly shredded cheese…it melts so much better and in my opinion you don’t have to use as much. Also, by adding the extras (onions and jalapenos) you won’t miss a little less cheese…so it’s all good!

Stay tuned this week because I will be having TWO great foodie giveaways!