A creamy, delicious and comforting soup on any day. The addition of the orzo pasta and the grilled cheese croutons on top will definitely keep the kids happy also. Who doesn't love a bowl of tomato soup and a grilled cheese???
TOMATO ORZO SOUP
2 MEDIUM ONIONS SLICED 3 TBLSP OLIVE OIL 1 48OZ BOX OF LOW SODIUM CHICKEN BROTH 2 28 OZ CANS CRUSHED TOMATOES 1 CUP ORZO PASTA 1/2 CUP HEAVY CREAM 8 SLICES OF A CRUSTY PANINI BREAD BLOCK OF GRUYERE CHEESE SALT & PEPPER
Heat the oil in a dutch oven and add the sliced onion. Cook slowly until slightly browned and almost carmelized.
Now add the two cans of crushed tomatoes and the chicken broth. If you prefer, you can use a vegetable broth instead. Its your choice.
Let this come to a simmer and cook for about 30 minutes. Now add the heavy cream. Feel free to add a little more or less of the cream if you like. You are looking for a slightly creamy texture and.... of course....that beautiful color.
So you can do the pasta two ways....you can bring the soup back to a simmer and cook the pasta in the soup. Just make sure you leave it Al Dente because it will continue to cook until the soup is cooled off. Or...you can make the pasta in a separate pot, which is what I did tonite. Here you can cook it until the tenderness you would like and add it to the slightly cooled pasta. The choice is all yours!!
Now just make those grill cheeses. Shred your cheese. Put some butter on a hot grill pan and toast the sandwiches until golden brown. Flip and grill the other side. Let them cool for a couple minutes until you can cut them. Cut them in little one inch squares. You can also just cut them in strips and the kids will love them as dippers.
OK......what do you think??? A true classic dish that everyone will love. Whether you are making it for any weekday dinner or your Thanksgiving table....I'm sure it will be a hit and they will be asking for seconds. Let's get this on the table.......and eat!!! ENJOY!!! ALL GOOD STUFF!!!!