Tomato Soup with grilled cheese croutons

By DebCooks

A creamy homemade tomato soup and the grilled cheese with Gruyere makes it delicious.

Ingredients

• Grilled cheese croutons:
• 3 T olive oil
• 3 c yellow onions, chopped (2 onions)
• 1 T minced garlic (3 cloves)
• 4 c chicken stock
• 1-28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• Kosher salt and pepper
• 1/2 c orzo
• 1/2 c heavy cream
• 4 slices country white bread
• 2 T unsalted butter, melted
• 4 oz Gruyere cheese, grated

Preparation

Step 1

In a large pot or Dutch oven heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Stir in the chicken stock, tomatoes, 1 T salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Fill a medium pot with water, add 1 teas salt and bring to a boil. Add the orzo and cook for 7 minutes. It will finish cooking in the soup. Drain the orzo and add it to the soup. Stir in the cream, return the soup to a simmer and cook for 10 more minutes, stirring frequently.
Serve hot with grilled cheese croutons on top.
Grilled cheese croutons:
Heat a griddle and brush four slices of bread with melted butter. Pile the grated Gruyere cheese on two slices. Put other two slices on top buttered sides up and grill until nicely browned. Allow to rest for 1 minute and then cut into 1-inch cubes or slices and dip in soup.