Easy Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese Croutons
Source of Recipe
From "Barefoot Contessa: Foolproof" by Ina Garten
Recipe Introduction
"My friend Frank Newbold told me he'd been served tomato soup with grilled cheese croutons on top and I thought, OMG what a great idea! This tomato soup is spiced with saffron, which has enough flavor to stand up to the Gruy�re in the croutons. Nursery food updated�how bad could that be?"
List of Ingredients
◦ 3 tablespoons good olive oil
◦ 3 cups yellow onions, chopped (2 onions)
◦ 1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
◦ 4 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
◦ 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, preferably San Marzano
◦ Large pinch of saffron threads
◦ Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
◦ � cup orzo
◦ � cup heavy cream
◦ Grilled Cheese Croutons
Recipe
In a large pot or Dutch oven such as Le Creuset, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Stir in the chicken stock, tomatoes, saffron, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, fill a medium pot with water, add 2 teaspoons salt, and bring to a boil. Add the orzo and cook for 7 minutes. (It will finish cooking in the soup.) Drain the orzo and add it to the soup. Stir in the cream, return the soup to a simmer, and cook for 10 more minutes, stirring frequently.
Serve hot with Grilled Cheese Croutons scattered on top.
Serves 4 to 6
Grilled Cheese Croutons:
"These are very easy to make if you have an electric panini grill but, of course, you can always make them the traditional way in a frying pan."
◦ 4 (�-inch-thick) slices country white bread
◦ 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
◦ 4 ounces Gruy�re cheese, grated
Heat a panini grill. Place the four slices of bread on a cutting board and brush lightly with the melted butter, being sure to butter the corners. Turn the slices over and pile Gruy�re on two of the slices. Place the remaining two slices of bread on top of the Gruy�re, buttered sides up.
Grill the sandwiches on the panini grill for about 5 minutes, until nicely browned. Place on a cutting board, allow to rest for 1 minute, and cut into 1-inch cubes.
Serves 4 to 6
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