Creamy Tomato Soup Shooters with Grilled Cheese Sticks. {Video!}
I’m having a scarf issue.
It is scarf weather, after all. Scarf and soup weather, so this makes sense. You’ll see. I swear.
It’s no secret that I’m a huge scarf freak, but do I really need like 45 scarves? Of course not. Can I stop buying scarves? Not at all. It’s a problem because I want all the adorable scarves in all the adorable stores.
Maybe it’s just because I’m #omgautumn and it’s also probably because I can’t wear real pants at the moment and I’m wondering just how much heels will be out of question come December and I have no idea what my body will do in a few weeks and scarves are always a sure bet. No matter what, I can always wear a scarf. I’ve used scarves as blankets and pillows and umbrellas and the other day I accidentally used a scarf as a kitchen towel.
There really is an issue when you’re mistaking your scarves for kitchen towels.
I’m also having a grilled cheese issue, which I’ve alluded to multiple times in the last three weeks now. UGHHHH. Why must I love grilled cheese so much? Too good.
And why must I love soft plaid blankets and shiny shimmery fabrics around my upper body so much?
So listen. I realize that I made a tomato soup before. It is pretty delicious and has mascarpone and havarti stirred in. But this? This… is better. Maybe it’s just my weird pregnancy taste buds. But I declare this one BETTER.
It may not be fair to say that: this version is slightly thinner. It’s creamier. Like from actual cream. It’s made with fire roasted tomatoes and dried basil, which I discovered after researching Nordstrom cafe’s tomato soup recipe. I caramelized the shallots a bit first AND added brown sugar into the soup to make it a bit sweeter.
All in all, I’m freaking hooked. I have eaten it every single day this week. Actually, yesterday, I almost had a heart attack when I looked down at my plate and realized I was eating four grilled cheeses sandwiches.
Then I came to my senses and remembered that I technically made TWO grilled cheese sandwiches (because one is never enough) and sliced them in half, therefore making it look like four.
For the first time in almost nine months, I have an insaaaaaane appetite that is not going away. It’s intense.
Therefore, I’m losing my mind over the soup.
Oh oh oh! And the best part is: this is a small batch soup. Meaning I made it in a rather medium-sized saucepan and so can you! Sweet.
Should I be embarrassed that below I tell you how to make a grilled cheese? Probably. I mean, I’ve told you how to make many a grilled cheese over the years but this like… a legit PLAIN grilled cheese. Well. Not totally plain.
It looks plain, and it is rather plain considering I didn’t trash it up as I usually do, but it IS spread with brown butter before toasting and filled with three cheeses: fontina, gruyere and parmiagiano-reggiano. Can we call THAT the holy trinity? I think so.
The sticks and the shooters? They’re just for fun. Of course, they are super fun in general, for a party (large or small) or for kids (I can imagine at least?) or for yourself for lunch, because that’s totally what I did. But that’s what it’s for: fun. Make the soup and serve it however you’d like, cut the grilled cheese sandwiches into hearts or cows or triangles (are you boring?) or whatever you’d like. The key is smashing all the flavor together and dipping it alllllll together.
Perfect pre-trick or treat sustenance? I think so.
Creamy Tomato Soup Shooters with Grilled Cheese Sticks
Ingredients
tomato soup
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 shallots, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (28 oz) can fire-roasted tomatoes
- 2/3 cup cooking sherry
- 1/3 cup chicken stock
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- freshly snipped chives for garnish
grilled cheese sticks
- 8 slices bread
- softened brown butter for spreading
- 8 ounces fontina cheese, freshly grated
- 6 ounces gruyere cheese, freshly grated
- 2 ounces parmigiano-reggiano cheese, freshly grated
Instructions
- Heat a medium saucepan over medium-low heat and add the butter. Add in the shallots and garlic, cooking until soft and slightly golden and stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 5 minutes. Add in the tomatoes, sherry, chicken stock, brown sugar, basil, salt and pepper, then bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
- Transfer the soup to a high-powered blender and carefully blend until pureed. Transfer back to the pot over low heat. Right before serving, stir in the heavy cream. Taste and season additionally with salt and pepper if needed – it might, depending on your tomatoes. To serve, drizzle the soup with the extra cream and garnish with chives.
grilled cheese sticks
- Spread the outsides of the bread with the softened butter. Heat a large griddle or skillet over medium-low heat. Toss the fontina and gruyere and parm together, then fill the sandwiches with the cheese, topping the bread with a slice buttered-side up. Cook the sandwiches until golden on both sides, about 5 to 6 minutes per side, and the cheese is melted. Let them cool slightly, then slice into “sticks” with a serrated knife. Serve with the soup shooters.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
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I appreciate you so much!
maybe I can figure out how to wear a grilled cheese scarf.
84 Comments on “Creamy Tomato Soup Shooters with Grilled Cheese Sticks. {Video!}”
Scarfs = A fall necessity. It’s one of my favorite things about colder weather. BRING ON THE CUTE LAYERS!
And grilled cheese and tomato soup? Such a win? But then adding the word “shooter?” MEGA win! Pinned!
Oh my gosh, I totally hear ya on the scarves! Want to know what I did on Canadian Thanksgiving weekend (in addition to eating ALL the turkey and roasted veggies that my body could handle)? I took all my long pashmina scarves to my mum’s house and had her sew them into infinity scarves because I’m all about infinity scarves right now. This whole grilled cheese dunked in tomato soup thing sounds like something I could easily be all about too. :)
omg. that is funny!
Having too many scarves is not a bad thing, especially when they are an accessory. No one wears the same shirt all week, so why should you have only a couple scarves? The more the merrier!
When I make tomato soup with grilled cheese, I cube my grilled cheese and use them as soup croutons, so much more fun that way, much like the dipping action.
Yum! Funny you say a pre trick or treat sustenance because we ALWAYS had grilled cheese and tomato soup before trick or treating!
Can never ever ever go wrong with grilled cheese and tomato soup! Love your photos, Jessica. #scarvesforlife
I should probably buy some MORE scarves, because I have three infinity ones and wear the same ones constantly.
I love these soup shooters! I’ve been dying to find a good basic tomato soup recipe, so I can’t wait to make this. And the browned butter on the grilled cheese is genius!
This will be the soup I make this weekend. Looks simply divine!
Emily
http://www.workinggirlafterhours.com
Looks so good, can’t wait to make! Can anything be subbed for the sherry? I don’t have any on hand…
i think you can probably leave it out, replace it with chicken stock?? the flavor will be different though as it does add a bit. i also just found this thread with suggestions: http://www.seriouseats.com/talk/2008/02/substitute-for-sherry.html
Love that you used fire roasted tomatoes in this. So yummy. And those toasties are gorgeous!
Definitely trying this soup. Love this idea for serving, but I don’t think they’d ever make it out of the kitchen before taking back all the shooters and eating all the sticks of grilled cheese. I’ll just have to make a double batch.
Having tons of scarves is not an issue — it’s fun — scarves are like necks hugs ( expect, that sounds weird … :S) Loving this recipe – I did something similar for a holiday party :)
Darn!
I was going to bring you one of Cashmere scarves( I make and sell).When I saw you in Boston. I have so many made right, because it’s show season for me. I have a beautiful blue and hot pink one too!
Grilled cheese with ketchup is my white trash guilty pleasure. And if I had one wish, I’d choose eating grilled cheese every day all day and not gaining weight. No joke. My love is real.
I feel your pain on the scarf obsession! Once fall decides to stay here for more than a day at a time, I’m always wearing one!
It is perfectly acceptable to own an endless amount of scarfs. They are the perfect accessory! Now, these grilled cheese sticks are calling my name!
Another recipe I have to try asap! x
http://www.wild-cherrytree.com
Cool idea for a party. These would make some pretty cute appetizers. I have a scarf and shoes problem, I can’t stop buying them, by husband made me promise that I won’t order anything online or buy before I ask him, since its spinning out of control lol.
Is it bad that I have an entire section of my closet dedicated to scarves? lol, love I’m not the only one that is obsessed! Another thing I’m obsessed with? These grilled cheese sticks and creamy tomato soup…omg, they look SO good, need this in my life!
OMGyum! I have to make this tonight; you know, as an appetizer for the bag of mini-chocolate I plan to inhale while watching Rocky Horror Picture show (cause real horror movies are hella creepy). It is so gloomy and rainy (and down right Halloween creepy) and that soup and grilled cheese is EXACTLY what I need.
I’m a scarf freak, too. But somehow I found 2 that make my heart sing and I don’t but anymore because I love the 2 I have so much I don’t even want to wear other ones.
Such a fun idea, can’t wait to make this!! Perfect for this time of year.
What a wonderful combo – so festive!
I’m with you on the scarf thing but, it’s “infinity scarves” for me. The reason is that being completely inept at anything fashionable like I am, I can’t tie a scarf. Like, obvi I can actually tie one, but not in any way that actually looks good. Infinity scarves completely solve that problem.
[sidenote: I hope someday you come to Chicago for a signing, as that is where I live. My bff currently lives in Chapel Hill, NC and I made sure my fall visit coincided with your signing at Southern Seasons – right around the corner from her! I was so bummed when it was canceled!]
A girl can never own too many scarves – and they’re perfect with a new baby! Because they cover up spit-up and make any old tshirt look like an outfit you put more thought I to than “oh this is lying there and it’s sort of clean”. Love tomato soup! This looks delicious.
I just saw these on Pinterest and pinned the heck outta them! They’re soooo cute! That soup looks to die for :)
I have a million scarves too, yet what am I buying this fall? MORE! There’s no such thing as too many…just like grilled cheese and tomato soup. More = better (especially because the Nordy’s version is amazing so this undoubtedly will be too) :)
Sheer genius! Me likely this one a lot.
My husband despises tomato soup. WHAT. WHY. I love it, so I make it anyways. And these are nothing short of adorable!
I love everything about this!!! And yes, that IS the holy trinity of cheeses for the GC and with the brown butter, no words.
My entire pregnancy I was horrifically sick. Like so sick I won’t go into it. But the ONE THING I loved and could keep down usually was the Nordstrom Cafe tomato soup recipe and while pregnant I tried to research how to make it but this was in 06-07 and I couldn’t find a legit recipe online so ended up having to walk past the shoe dept, the makeup dept, etc. a few times a week to go into Nordstrom to go eat their soup. Dangerous!
Love this so much…pinned!!!!
The soup looks delicious and I love scarves as well. You can never have too many designs and thickness variation. They can also be worn for all seasons.
Mmm, I have been looking for a good tomato soup recipe, and this may be it! It looks amazing. Also, why has it never occurred to me to use brown butter on grilled cheese? Yum!
grilled cheese, soup, and scarves all these make me happy!
I already ate dinner, but now I want this too! Yum!
http://www.wearitforless.com
I love scarves, too, theres just something about having a blanket around your neck!
I will take a grilled cheese hat and scarf set, haha!
Using fire roasted tomatoes and brown sugar?! BRILLIANT.
yampiiiiiiii a delicious food …………………………..
I love that they are in sticks! So fun and what a perfect appetiser – everyone would love it!
Genius! Perfect for this time of year.
I just finished making this! It is so yummy, not to mention incredibly easy.
The soup looks gorgeous, I’m definitely going to have to start putting mine in little glasses; they look so cute! Perfect x
I thought about this soup all day at work Friday, and made it last night. OMG, it was so amazing! I’ve never made tomato soup from scratch before, and I’ll never go back! It was so easy, and was delicious. Instead of shallots I sautéed 1/2 an onion and used that instead. I’m still obsession over how delicious it was.
i’m so glad!!
This is every sort of amazing! Great idea!
-Jamie
“but do I really need like 45 scarves? Of course not.” Lies! You totally need allllll the scarves! I don’t even want to tell you what my scarf collection is like. Let’s just say one of my favorite online companies went out of business a few months back and had scarves on sale for $5 – $10! Yes, I bought one of every kind (and even two of a few). Scarves are the best. Scarves 4 lyfe!
Ahem… anyway. These shooters are so awesome. I made some this weekend and my daughter went nuts over it. <3
This soup was so tasty, taste like it was simmering for hours!
I would not be waiting for the little shot glasses. Pour me up a big bowl!
Love love love grilled cheese with tomato soup during the colder weather!
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It’s currently 9 degrees outside and I made this for dinner tonight. My husband is not a huge tomato soup fan and he LOVED this! And the kids loved the grilled cheese sticks-genius!! Thank you!!!! Best tomato soup recipe ever-balance of acid/sweet is perfect. And the texture is perfect for getting a good amount on each dip. I subbed a Pinot I had on hand for the Sherry.
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I think we need some photos of said scarf/scarves! I too am a scarf addict and love seeing what others are wearing and buying.
I am making this right now and I am SO stoked. Unfortunately, it’s not raining or even cold here in San Diego, but this will still hit the spot. Thanks for sharing! :)