Cold Tomato Thyme Soup With Grilled Garlic Croutons Food

COLD TOMATO-THYME SOUP WITH GRILLED GARLIC CROUTONS

Steps:

• Heat 4 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, finely chopped garlic and bay leaf. Cover; cook until carrots are tender, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes. Cover; cook until tomatoes release juices, about 10 minutes. Uncover; cook until juices evaporate, stirring often, about 20 minutes. Add broth and chopped thyme. Partially cover pot and simmer until mixture is reduced to 6 cups, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes longer.
• Cool soup slightly. Discard bay leaf. Puree half of soup in blender. Stir into soup in pot. Season with salt and pepper. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.)
• Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Place smoke chips in 8x6-inch foil packet with open top. Set packet atop coals about 5 minutes before grilling. Brush 1 tablespoon oil over both sides of bread slices. Grill bread until lightly browned, about 2 minutes per side. Rub garlic clove halves over bread. Cut bread into 3/4-inch cubes.
• Divide cold soup among bowls. Top with croutons. Garnish with thyme.

ROASTED TOMATO SOUP WITH GRILLED-CHEESE CROUTONS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Spread tomatoes on baking sheet and coat with two tablespoons olive oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast until shriveled, approximately 35-45 minutes.
• In large pot, heat butter and one tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and onion; saute until tender. Add canned tomatoes with juice, chicken broth, thyme, and roasted tomatoes including any liquid on baking sheet. Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer partially covered for 30 minutes.
• Puree soup mixture in food processor or blender until smooth. Return to pot and add cream. Without letting it boil, warm soup over medium heat until steaming.
• Heat large skillet over medium heat. In small bowl, combine butter and thyme and spread on one side of each bread slice. Place three pieces of bread buttered side down in skillet; top with cheese and with remaining three pieces of bread buttered side up. Heat, flipping once until toasted. Remove and let cool slightly; cut into one-inch squares.
• To soup, add additional salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with grilled cheese croutons and serve!