Roasted Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Roasted Tomato Soup
original recipe by Tyler Florence

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 1/2 pounds fresh tomatoes (mix of fresh heirlooms, cherry, vine and plum tomatoes)
• 6 cloves garlic, peeled
• 2 small yellow onions, sliced
• Vine cherry tomatoes for garnish, optional
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 quart chicken stock
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves, optional
• 3/4 cup heavy cream, optional

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Wash, core, and cut the tomatoes into halves. Spread the tomatoes, garlic cloves and onions onto a baking tray. If using vine cherry tomatoes for garnish, add them as well, leaving them whole and on the vine. Drizzle with 1/2 cup of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes at medium heat in a baking pan. Roast in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes, or until caramelized.
3. Remove roasted tomatoes, garlic and onion from the oven and transfer to a large stock pot (set aside the roasted vine tomatoes for later). Add 3/4 of the chicken stock, bay leaves, and butter. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until liquid has reduced by a third.
4. Wash and dry basil leaves, if using, and add to the pot. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Return soup to low heat, add cream and adjust consistency with remaining chicken stock, if necessary. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Garnish in bowl with 3 or 4 roasted vine cherry tomatoes and a splash of heavy cream.

Grilled Cheese with Bacon
original recipe found here
makes 4 sandwiches

INGREDIENTS:

• Dijon mustard
• Eight 1/2-thick slices country-style white bread
• 12 ounces farmhouse Cheddar, sliced
• 12 slices bacon, cooked to desired doneness
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat a griddle or large skillet over medium-low heat. Alternatively, you can use a panini press if you have one.
2. Generously spread the Dijon on 4 slices of bread. Top each slice with some of the Cheddar, 3 pieces of bacon, some apple and additional Cheddar. Place a slice of the remaining bread on top of each sandwich and spread with the butter. Place a sandwich on the skillet buttered-side down and butter the remaining side. Cook until the cheese is slightly melted and the bread is browned. Flip the sandwich and continue to cook until the cheese is thoroughly melted and the sandwich is golden brown. Repeat with the remaining sandwiches.