an easy winter dinner
Do you ever find yourself, after a long day of Christmas shopping, baking, decorating, planning, fraternizing, etc, with nothing to eat for dinner? Here's a delicious last-minute solution, especially good in cold climates: hearty tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches (adapted from a recipe by Giada DeLaurentis).
For the soup:
1. In large soup pot, add: 2 T. butter, 1 onion (peeled and chopped), 1 cup carrots (peeled and chopped), 2 garlic cloves, chopped. Cook for about 4 minutes.
2. Add: 1 15-oz. can cannellini beans, 1 28-oz. can crushed tomatoes, 3 cups chicken broth, 1 bay leaf, 2 t. minced rosemary, 1/2 t. red pepper flakes, 3/4 t. salt. Bring to boil, then reduce, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
3. Discard bay leaf and puree soup in food processor or with an immersion blender, season with additional salt, if necessary, and pepper. Serve immediately with a bit of heavy cream drizzled over the top.
For the sandwiches: (these are likely self-explanatory, but here are instructions none-the-less)
1. Throw sliced cheese (ideally, a cheddar with some bite--my favorite is extra-sharp white cheddar by Tillamook) between two buttered slices of good bread. Grill in a frying pan, flipping as each side gets brown.
And in 30-45 minutes, dinner is served!
12.16.2009
Reader Comments (8)
I'm a Tillamook snob...it's by far my favorite.
This looks too delicious! There is nothing quite like soup to warm you up.
I have left something over at my blog for you lovely ladies!
www.lilyelmontree.blogspot.com
This looks so good and perfect for a cold winter day!
Thank you.
Ashley, with CWDkids
www.kidbits.cwdkids.com
THANK YOU!! This is just what I needed to end a busy week. You saved me, because I was already dreading the "what to do for dinner" question! :D
Yummy! I will make this tomorrow. I too love Tillamook cheese (and ice cream). We live driving distance from the Tillamook factory, which is a fun visit, if you ever get the chance.
That sounds good! May I suggest 2 - 3 T of extra virgin olive oil instead of butter in the soup? Trust me, it tastes sooo much better and IS soo much better for the body!
Buon Natale a Tutti!
Thanks for the suggestion, Christina. While I love the flavor of vegetables sauteed in butter, I'm sure an olive oil substitute tastes good, too. Merry Christmas.
Thank you for the soup recipe - it was a BIG hit in my house last night. Instead of grilled cheese, we paired it with turkey bacon BLT's (fresh lettuce from our garden!) and some roasted brussel sprouts. The soup was everyone's favorite, even the picky 5 year old.