Grilled Pimento Cheese with Roasted Heirloom Tomato Soup

Thank you for the encouraging words yesterday. Honestly, I’m kind of hesitant to talk about it for fear that I will jinx it somehow. I’m one of those people who thinks gushing about how excited I am will ultimately result in the destruction of all my plans. I know it’s completely irrational to think that way but I can’t help it.

Until said plans have passed, I’m going to say I really hope it works out okay. That’s safe, right?

Well, if all else fails, at least there’s grilled cheese and tomato soup.

Grilled Pimento Cheese with Roasted Tomato Soup {Making Thyme for Health}

This meal brings me back to elementary school, when I used to sit in the school nurse’s office, waiting for my mom to come pick me up because I ‘wasn’t feeling well’. My mom would take me right home, send me to the couch with a blanket and a pillow and serve me a warm grilled cheese with tomato soup and a cold glass of apple juice.

Grilled Pimento Cheese with Roasted Tomato Soup {Making Thyme for Health}

If that doesn’t cure all of your ailments, I don’t know what will.

On the other hand, pimento cheese reminds me of summertime in North Carolina. I used to go to visit my father during the summer and he always had fresh pimento cheese in his refrigerator. It took almost zero effort to whip out two slabs of bread, smother them with pimento cheese and stuff it in my face. Oh, so good.

pimento

As you can imagine, the 7-year old in me was thrilled when I saw the grilled pimento cheese at the Kendall-Jackson Heirloom Tomato Festival last month. It brought back all the right memories and left me hungry for more.

The vendor served their grilled cheese with an awesome heirloom tomato jam but I thought a roasted tomato soup seemed a little more appropriate for fall.

toms

Have I confessed my love for heirloom tomatoes?

Roasted Heirloom Tomato Soup {Making Thyme for Health}

Roasting them with fresh garlic and onions draws out that irresistible juicy flavor that makes my heart sing. {Love}

I lightened up the pimento cheese by using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise and you can’t even tell the difference. It was still creamy and mouth-watering delicious…and it was even better dipped in that warm tomato soup.

 

Grilled Pimento Cheese with Roasted Heirloom Tomato Soup

Click to Print this Recipe!

Pimento Cheese

Adapted from Kath Eats Real Food

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (fresh, not pre-grated cheese)
  • 4 ounce jar diced pimentos
  • 1/4 cup plain nonfat plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Roasted Heirloom Tomato Soup

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds fresh heirloom tomatoes, cored and roughly chopped
  • 1 large yellow onion, sliced
  • 5 garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons butter (I used Earth Balance)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped

Makes about 4 servings

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F and spread the tomatoes, onion and garlic onto a baking or roasting dish. Coat them with the olive oil, salt & pepper then roast in the oven for 35 minutes.
  2. Combine all of the ingredients for the pimento cheese into a large dish and mix together.
  3. Warm a skillet over medium heat and prepare the bread for the grilled cheese by spreading a thin layer of Earth Balance (or butter) onto the outsides of each piece.
  4. Spread about 1/4 cup pimento cheese into the center and cook sandwich on each side for about four to five minutes, until golden brown.
  5. After tomatoes are done cooking, heat vegetable broth in a large pot over medium heat. Place tomatoes into a blender and pulse until a thick and chunky texture is achieved then add to the pot with the broth. Alternatively, you could use an immersion blender and blend everything in the pot.
  6. Add the Earth Balance (or butter) and oregano to the pot and reduce to a simmer. Allow to cook for five to ten minutes.
  7. Lastly, stir in the chopped basil and serve warm with the grilled cheese.

Grilled Pimento Cheese with Roasted Tomato Soup {Making Thyme for Health}

I don’t know about you but now I’m craving grilled cheese…again. Das good stuff mon.

 

What meal used to make you feel better as a kid?

Do you dip your grilled cheese in tomato soup?