Easy Tomato Soup
Source: Ina Garten
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 onions, chopped (I use vidalia/sweet)
3 cloves minced garlic
4 cups chicken stock
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, preferably San Marzano
Large pinch of saffron threads (I omitted because I didn’t know what this was and didn’t see it at Publix.)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup orzo
1/2 cup heavy cream
In a large 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, saffron, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, fill a medium pot with water, add 2 teaspoons 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 scattered on top.
Grilled Cheese Croutons
Source: Ina Garten
4 (1/2-inch-thick) slices country white bread (There is actually bread at the grocery that says “country white”!!)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
4 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated
Heat a panini grill. Place the four slices of bread on a cutting board and brush lightly with the melted butter, being sure to butter the corners. Turn the slices over and pile Gruyere on two of the slices. Place the remaining two slices of bread on top of the Gruyere, buttered sides up.
Grill the sandwiches on the panini grill for about 5 minutes, until nicely browned. Place on a cutting board, allow to rest for 1 minute and cut into 1-inch cubes.
Everyone here gobbled it up and we had enough soup left for the following night. I just made a few hot grilled cheese sammies for fresh croutons and supper was served!
In my next life I really want to to come back as Jeffrey. He just has the life :-)
xoxo
What fun to serve it with the toasted cheese croutons rather than a toasted cheese sandwich (which is standard fare with our kids). Thanks for that soup-it sounds amazing. I don't know what those "threads" are either- xo Diana
Yummy! We all love tomato soup, so we'll definitely give this one a try. xo
Looks great! Saffron is 17.98 at Publix. That's the cheapest I've ever seen it.
Grilled cheese croutons sound a.m.a.z.I.n.g.!!!
Funny, I have a post going up tomorrow with one of her recipes. I am loving her Foolproof cookbook. I miss tomato soup (I can no longer eat tomatoes due to an allergy), but I still love me a good grill cheese!!
A lot of times you can find the saffron in the Mexican food section. I have found it at Wal-mart in bags that are hanging on hooks. It is much cheaper in this section of the store than in the traditional spice section. It real does add a little "something something" to soups!
Grilled cheese croutons…YUM!!
yum. that looks delish…and perfect for a cold & snowy day. :)
Saffron are threads that are handpicked from a flower and they use it to make paella.
http://www.mortonbassett.com/Saffron-Threads/p/44149&c=MortonBassett@SpicesPZ
Try finding this brand. I like the fact that you can use the individual jars, so that its kept fresh and that they are non-irradiated.
Thanks so much for bringing back Sunday Suppers! You are my go to blog! :)
I find my saffron threads at speciality Italian stores. It can come either in little paper packages or little capsules for $2-$3 apiece. Expensive spice but, well worth it.
I do believe that anything Ina makes is delish! Who else would think of making croutons like this? I always say I want to be Ina when I grow up, however, you have the best idea of being Jeffrey. He enjoys all the fruits of her labor. :)
xo
Pat
Saffron is the most expensive spice on earth. I bought mine in Egypt at a spice market.
I don't do much cooking but I do enjoy watching The Barefoot Contessa. I love Ina and Jeffrey, they are just too cute! I googled Jeffrey a year or so ago, and was amazed at how accomplished he is in his own right. When I told my son about how successful Jeffrey is in his career, my son said: "Wow, Ina & Jeffrey's life seems even more perfect than I imagined!"
The soup and croutons look yummy!
Love all Ina's recipes! Her home is beautiful in East Hampton – you would love it! Where are your pretty blue plates from?