Truffled Brioche Grilled Cheese With Tomato Bisque Food

ROASTED TOMATO BISQUE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400˚. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
• Combine the drained whole tomatoes, olive oil, brown sugar, carrots and shallots in a large bowl and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Spread the vegetables on the baking sheet and roast until caramelized, about 30 minutes.
• Heat a soup pot over medium heat. Add the butter and cook until foaming. Add the red pepper flakes and garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, 1 to 2 minutes, then add the sherry. Cook until all the liquid has evaporated and the alcohol has cooked off, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the roasted vegetables, crushed tomatoes and 1 cup chicken stock. Season with salt and pepper, bring to a simmer and cook 15 minutes.
• Working in small batches, transfer the soup to a blender and puree until smooth. Return to the pot and add more chicken stock to adjust the consistency to how you like it. Taste again and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls and top with croutons.

DOUBLE-DECKER TRUFFLED GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Melt 3 tablespoons butter with 1 teaspoon truffle oil in an ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add 2 slices bread, and toast on both sides. Set the toast aside and reserve the skillet.
• Lay out one slice of untoasted bread. Top with one-quarter each of the brie, figs and jack cheese, then a slice of toasted bread, then another layer of brie, figs and jack. Close with a slice of untoasted bread. Repeat to make another double-decker sandwich.
• Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons butter with the remaining 1 to 2 teaspoons truffle oil in the skillet over medium heat. Add the sandwiches and cook until golden on the bottom, about 3 minutes. Flip and cook until golden on the other side, about 2 more minutes, then transfer the skillet to the oven and cook until the cheese is melted, 6 to 8 minutes. Serve with the fig preserves.
• Photograph my Andrew Mccaul

TOMATO BISQUE

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring, until crisp and most of the fat has rendered, about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside. Lower the heat to medium, add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until soft and fragrant, about 8 minutes.
• Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Pour in the broth and tomatoes and bring to a boil while whisking constantly. Tie the parsley sprigs, thyme, and bay leaf together with a piece of kitchen twine and add to the pot. Lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
• When the soup base is cool, remove and discard the herb bundle. Working in batches, transfer the mixture to a blender and puree until smooth. Using a sieve over a large bowl, strain the tomato puree. Return the puree to the pot and reheat over medium heat.
• Whisk the heavy cream and salt into the soup and season with pepper to taste. Divide among warm soup bowls, garnish with the crispy bacon, and serve immediately.

BUTTERY BRIOCHE GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat a griddle over medium heat.
• Buzz the Cheddar, Gruyere, Robiola, prosecco, parsley, mustard and garlic in a food processor until combined but still chunky and spreadable. Spread the mixture among the bread slices. Sandwich 2 slices, spread 1 tablespoon of the butter on the outside of the sandwich and season with salt and pepper. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
• Griddle the sandwiches over medium heat until golden brown on the first side. Flip over and continue to cook until the cheese is melted and the exteriors are crispy, about 5 minutes.