A Grilled Cheese's Best Friend: Winter Tomato Soup

In a recent post, I shared a recipe for Grilled Apple and Cheddar Cheese sandwiches. Grilled cheese is a versatile and widely treasured sandwich favorite, but there's nothing better than pairing the sandwich with a bowl of tomato soup.

I'm fairly ambivalent about tomato soup. On one hand, it's often low-calorie and packed with lycopene, a proven antioxidant that is said to help prevent damage to certain cells in the body. On the other hand, if it isn't homemade soup, you're running the risk of slurping a bowl of what tastes like watered down tomato juice.

I found a recipe on Kitchen Parade that defies the definition of the traditional thin, velevet-smooth tomato soup that many of us grew up dipping our grilled cheese sandwiches in (with of course, the except of those who prefer ketchup).

This version of tomato soup incorporates chunky tomatoes and sliced leeks to add depth and flavor that you don't usually get from a tomato soup. Tomato lovers will be hooked - you might toss that can of Progresso and never look back.

Winter Tomato Soup

Ingredients:

2 large cans (28 ounces each) diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter
2 leeks, white and green parts only, trimmed, halved lengthwise, washed well, sliced into half moons
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups vegetable or other broth

Directions:

1. Set oven to 475F. Drain tomatoes in a colander, reserving the juice. Arrange tomatoes in single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle with brown sugar and roast for 20 minutes plus whatever preheating time remains.

2. Meanwhile, melt butter on medium heat in large pot or Dutch oven (oven-proof if finishing in the oven). Add leeks and sauté until golden, stirring often. Stir in tomato paste, nutmeg and flour; cook for a minute, stirring. Slowly add the broth, stirring to incorporate each addition before adding more. Stir in roasted tomatoes and reserved tomato juice.

3. For a quicker meal, cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally for about forty-five minutes to an hour. If you have some extra time, a slower simmer really brings out the flavor in these tomatoes. Cover and let barely simmer for 3 hours. Serves 6-8. (For original recipe, nutritional information and slow-cooker or oven instructions visit Alanna at Kitchen Parade.

Comments

[Heidi Renée]

Oh boy does that sound good. It's dinner time!

Unfortunately all I have is canned tomato soup. I'll have to figure out a way to dress it up.

[kat]

Oh, leeks in tomato soup, awesome!

[Nirvana]

This looks like the perfect winter soup -- I love tomato soup -- I just made some the other day but it does not look nearly as delicious as this!

[Food Hunter]

Your tomato soup looks really good. I like the idea of adding nutmeg.

[Sara]

This looks so good! I roast tomatoes with a sprinkle of sea salt and oregano and then blend them to make a quick tomato sauce.

[lisa (dandysugar)]

Tomato soup is one of my favorite comfort foods. Along with a yummy grilled cheese sandwich, it's soo good. Your soup looks great. So thick and chunky!

[Jude]

I'll have to agree with the tomato soup and grilled cheese combo. Nothing like a low-calorie dish to complement a grease bomb :)

[Joanna]

Oh, that looks so good - I never would have thought of roasting canned tomatoes! My favorite tomato soup starts with a sauce recipe by Marcella Hazan that has only 3 ingredients (butter, onion, and tomatoes), and I usually puree it and thin it with milk for a creamy soup. I'll have to try this chunky roasted version and see how they compare!

[Heather]

ohhh. that looks so chunky and good!

[Marthe]

This looks so delicious!!! Yum!

[Katie]

This is something I want to try! I like foods with antioxidants, especially pomegranate, but those are out of season now I believe.

I'm still trying to get around to making your home made macaroni and cheese with the veggies in it. I literally picture it in my mind every now and then and start to crave it!

[Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella]

Mmm soup and grilled cheese sandwiches are one of the best things about Winter and this tomato soup looks divine Maris! :)