All time favorites - Grilled Cheese & Creamy Tomato Soup

Who doesn't love a gooey grilled cheese sandwich served alongside velvety tomato soup? These two are the ultimate comfort duo for kids of all ages. I always feel my guests excitement when I tell them their all time favorite combination is being served. Such a perfect pair was the only way to start off my best friend Haley's staguette party, I catered a few months back. Haley loves comfort food and I knew she would be thrilled to have a smorgasbord of all her favorite delights at her pre wedding soiree. I'll post the rest of the menu another time cause I know you're curious to know how you could follow up with such a strong opening act - but I did! Just as a teaser I'll tell you there was Moroccan meatballs, mac and cheese, mini spanakopita quiche and more...


Creamy Tomato Soup (adapted from Chuck Hughes)  INGREDIENTS:
about 4 cups fresh tomatoes (vine ripe are best) - chopped
2 cloves of garlic - chopped
1 cooking onion - chopped
2 tbs butter
1tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
parmesan rind (optional)
2-3 tbs brown sugar
1/2 cup butter milk
1/2 cup water
drizzle olive oil
s & p - to taste


COOK: Sautee onion and garlic in 1 tbs butter and olive oil until translucent, then add in tomatoes, thyme, sugar, salt and pepper. Continue to cook for another 5 min then add in water and parmesan rind - simmer for 25 - 30 mins. Discard the rind and blend the soup until smooth. Then strain through sive to remove the seeds and skins. Transfer back to a clean pot (keep off the heat) whisk in rest of the butter & buttermilk.
SERVE: For me the only way to serve this soup is alongside an old school grilled cheese sandwich. In other words butter slathered, grilled in panini press, orange cheddar cheese oozing off the sides. It's the simplest things in life that are always the most rewarding...right?