Description
Comforting creamy tomato basil soup combines classic flavors with whimsical grilled cheese hearts, creating a nostalgic culinary experience. Warm, velvety soup paired with crispy, golden bread cutouts brings pure love to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 14.5-ounce (400-gram) cans diced tomatoes
- 4 cups (950 milliliters) vegetable broth
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 medium onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) fresh basil leaves
Bread and Cheese:
- 4 slices sourdough or whole grain bread
- 1 cup (100 grams) cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (100 grams) mozzarella cheese
Additional:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious pot over medium temperature, gently caramelizing onions until they become translucent and develop a soft, glassy appearance.
- Introduce minced garlic to the pot, allowing its aromatic essence to bloom and intensify for approximately 30-45 seconds.
- Pour in diced tomatoes with their natural juices and vegetable broth, elevating the mixture to a gentle, rolling simmer for 10 minutes.
- Carefully break down tomato pieces using a potato masher or immersion blender, creating a rustic or smooth consistency according to personal preference.
- Delicately fold fresh basil leaves into the simmering liquid, then swirl in rich heavy cream, allowing the soup to gently simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
- Prepare grilled cheese hearts by spreading softened butter on bread slices, layering with cheese, and grilling in a skillet until each side achieves a golden, crispy exterior.
- Transform grilled sandwiches into heart shapes using a sharp knife, creating playful culinary silhouettes.
- Ladle the creamy tomato soup into bowls and accompany with whimsical heart-shaped grilled cheese for a charming, comforting meal.
Notes
- Customize soup thickness by adjusting liquid levels, using potato masher or immersion blender for preferred texture consistency.
- Swap heavy cream with dairy-free alternatives like coconut milk or cashew cream for vegan and lactose-intolerant dietary needs.
- Use roasted fresh tomatoes instead of canned for deeper, richer flavor profile and enhanced natural sweetness.
- Select high-quality, fresh basil leaves and add just before serving to maintain vibrant color and maximize aromatic herb essence.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg