Roasted Tomato Spinach Asiago Soup Food

ROASTED CREAMY TOMATO AND SPINACH SOUP

Steps:

• Cut the tomatoes in quarters and lightly de-seed by squeezing slightly and then add to a large bowl. To that same bowl, add the fennel and onion. Add the olive oil, dried oregano, s/p and either grill until soft or in a 400 degree oven for about 20 minutes. Don't worry, they will continue cooking in the soup so they don't have to be all the way done.
• To a large soup pot, add a just the vegetables, garlic, red pepper flakes, vegetable stock and sugar and a pinch of both salt and pepper. Go easy on salt as tomatoes and broth are both salty. You can reason later. and cook another couple of minutes until all well incorporated. Cook another 5 minutes.
• With an immersion blender or you can transfer the ingredients to a regular blender puree until mostly smooth. I like some texture, but feel free to make it as smooth as you want.
• Return to the pot, add the spinach, cream, milk and fresh basil. Taste for seasoning and add any extra salt or pepper if needed. Also, depending on how thick you like your soup, you can add extra broth if you want.

ROASTED CHERRY TOMATO, SPINACH AND ASIAGO PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven 400°F Toss the tomatoes with the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Spread the tomatoes on a foil-lined baking sheet.
• Roast the tomatoes for 20-30 minutes or until shriveled and lightly browned. Scrape the tomatoes and juices into a large bowl. Add the spinach.
• Meanwhile, prepare the pasta.
• Toss the pasta with the spinach, roasted tomatoes, Asiago and basil. Sprinkle with the pine nuts. Serve with additional cheese on the side.

SPINACH-TOMATO TORTELLINI SOUP

Steps:

• In large Dutch oven over medium heat, melt butter.
• Add the shallots, onion, garlic and cayenne pepper and saute until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
• Add broth, water, tomatoes and crushed red pepper; cover and bring to a boil.
• Add tortellini, spinach, basil and 1/2 cup Asiago cheese; simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes or until pasta is done.
• Sprinkle with additional Asiago cheese.
• Season with salt and pepper, to taste, if desired.
• This makes 8 servings at 1 cup each.

ROASTED POBLANO-ASIAGO CHEESE SOUP

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, mix the flour and butter with a fork until the flour is totally incorporated.
• (Note: Before you begin Step #2, you may consider sautéing the problanos, onions, tomatillos and garlic in a little oil or butter prior.) Place the poblanos, onion, tomatillos, garlic, chicken stock, cream and milk in a pan and bring to a boil. Whisk in the flour and butter mixture and continue to whisk until lumps of flour disappear. Cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens. While stirring, add spinach, Asiago cheese and cilantro and continue to cook for 30 seconds. Transfer to a blender in batches and blend until completely smooth.
• Season with salt and pepper and keep warm. Ladle the soup into warm bowls and garnish with tortilla strips and Pico de Gallo, if desired, or sprinkle with additional chopped cilantro.

ROASTED GARLIC SOUP WITH ASIAGO CROSTINI

Steps:

• Make the soup: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Cut the tops off the garlic heads to expose the cloves and remove any excess papery skins. Place on a large sheet of foil; drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Close the foil around the garlic, leaving a space between the tops and the foil, and place on a baking sheet. Roast until soft and fragrant, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Remove from the foil, let cool and squeeze out the garlic into a bowl.
• In a large heavy soup pot (preferably enameled cast iron) over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the roasted garlic and cook, stirring, until slightly thick, about 5 minutes. Add the flour and cook until a dark golden roux forms, stirring frequently, 5 to 6 more minutes. Add 1 cup chicken stock and stir to incorporate, then repeat until all of the stock has been added. Add 2 cups water in 1-cup increments, stirring after each. Add the Italian seasoning, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper, and stir to combine well. Bring to a simmer and cook 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the crostini: Increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees F. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, minced garlic, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, the paprika and oregano and mix well. Place the bread on a parchment-lined baking sheet and brush with the oil-spice mixture. Top each slice with about 1 teaspoon cheese and bake until the cheese is melted and the bread is starting to crisp, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Add the cream to the soup and cook at a very low simmer, stirring occasionally, 10 more minutes. Adjust the seasoning if needed. Ladle into small mugs or bowls; top with parsley and drizzle with olive oil. Serve with the crostini.