Grilled Cheese Roasted Tomato Soup

This is another recipe from Smitten Kitchen. I don't know how she does it, but every recipe she uses turns out great! I made a smaller batch for lunch last weekend and regretted not making a huge batch. This is one of the best soups, mainly because it is a way to merge grilled cheese and tomato soup together. I had baked a loaf of bread the day before so I decided to slice that up and make crostini for a party we were going to later in the day. So I used a crostini on top. This recipe is so simple, yet it tastes like it took forever to prepare.

Grilled Cheese Tomato Soup
Adapted from Smitten Kitchen
Serves 3-4 (remember, next time I need more tomatoes)

For the soup
6 plum tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise
3 cloves of garlic
Olive oil to coat tomatoes
Salt and pepper
Crushed red pepper flakes, I like a lot, but as many as you prefer
1 tsp thyme, or just about
3 cups of chicken broth, or until you have reached your desired consistency

For the grilled cheese top
3-4 slices of bread cut into 1/2 inch slices, or your desired slice
Olive oil
1/2 to 1 cup grated cheddar cheese, for me the sharper the better

1) Preheat oven to 400 F
2) Place halved tomatoes on baking sheet and coat in olive oil and salt and pepper; wrap unpeeled garlic in foil and place on same tray; roast for 35-45 minutes

3) Remove from oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes then add tomatoes and roasted garlic (remove peels) to a food processor (or blender) and blend until desired thickness; I like mine a little chunky
4) Place mixture into dutch oven (or any large pot) and add thyme and red pepper flakes, and chicken stock and simmer, uncovered, for about 25 minutes

5) Meanwhile, as the soup is simmering, brush slices of bread on one side with olive oil and bake in 400 F oven, turning once, until crispy; remove and let sit until soup is ready
6) Spoon warm soup into ramekins, or mugs, until almost full; place a crostini over the top and then add cheddar
7) Broil until cheese is melted and beginning to brown
8) Add crushed black pepper to the tops and enjoy! And you will enjoy... these are amazing!