ROASTED TOMATO SOUP AND CHEESE PANINI

FOR THE ROASTED TOMATOES

12 - 16 ripe Roma tomatoes cut widthwise
4 Tablespoons good quality olive oil
1 or 2 teaspoons kosher salt
pepper to taste

Lay tomato halves cut side up on a cookie or baking sheet lined with foil. Drizzle olive oil over the tomatoes and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast uncovered at 250 for about 2 hours or til tomatoes are wrinkled and no longer juicy. Cool. At this point you can freeze as they are or puree them in a food processor and freeze in serving sized containers for use whenever you need them.

ROASTED TOMATO SOUP Serves 4

In a large sauce pan place 1 Tbsp. olive oil, 1/2 cup pureed roasted tomatoes and 2 Tablespoons tomato paste.* Saute for about 1 or 2 minutes on med/low heat then add 2 cans Campbell's canned tomato soup and 2 1/2 cups water.

  Heat til simmering and let simmer slowly over low heat for about 7 minutes.

Serve with 1 Tbsp. sour cream and 1 tsp. chopped FRESH cilantro for each serving. Add croutons, crackers etc.

* For a real taste treat, add 1 tbsp. chopped canned chipotle pepper in adobo sauce to the roasted pepper/tomato paste at the beginning.

GRILLED CHEESE PANINI Serves 4
8 slices rustic, artisan sourdough bread (this is important for crunchy texture)
8 FRESH basil leaves
8 slices Havarti cheese8 slices Roma or vine ripened tomatoes

salt and pepper

Whether using a panini grill or a skillet the method is the same:

Using a combination of melted butter and olive oil, brush this mixture lightly on one side of all 8 slices of the sourdough bread.

Place basil leaves on 4 slices of bread. Top each with 2 slices of Havarti cheese and top the cheese with tomato slices. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover with the remaining slices of bread, buttered side out.

Grill on a panini grill or skillet that has been brushed with the olive oil/butter mixture til golden brown. If using a skillet turn and repeat on the second side.  

The basil will give the panini a very interesting taste since tomatoes and basil are a perfect combination.

Havarti cheese is my choice because Havarti melts beautifully and has a very smooth, buttery taste and consistancy. Enjoy.