Move Over La Madeleine

Last night I made a Soup and Sandwiches for dinner.....It was pretty dern good....I made it even better....

*I want to warn you...This makes a HUGE amount.  My family of 8 ate this and we had enough to freeze and have for lunch today.

Roasted Creamy Tomato Soup
with Grilled Cheese Croutons

      2 red bell peppers, halved and seeded                            2 (28oz) cans crushed tomatoes

      1 tb olive oil                                                                   1 (32oz) carton chicken broth

       2 tbs butter                                                                      1 (28oz) can fire roasted diced tomatoes

      2 shallots, thinly sliced                                                   1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

      2 tsp minced garlic                                                          1/2 tsp each salt and pepper

        3 tbs flour                                                                         1/4 tsp sugar

                                                                                             * 1/2- 1 1/2 cups cream

 

1. Preheat over to 450.  Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil

2. Place peppers cut side down and drizzle with olive oil

Bake 20 mins or until slightly charred.  Cover with foil and let stand 10 mins
Peel peppers, discarding skin and coarsely chop

3. In large Dutch oven, melt butter over med-high heat.  Add shallots and garlic and cook, stirring about 4 mins.  Stir in flour and cook stirring constantly 2 mins.  Add roasted peppers and crushed tomatoes and next 6 ingredients.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer stirring occasionally for 20 mins.  Puree soup

Now the recipe ended here...
BUT

I added heavy cream to it....I added enough to make it look like a pale red...or heck until it looked just like the La Madeleine's Tomato Basil that is soooo drop dead delicious 

Sourdough Grilled Cheese Croutons

Sourdough Bread

Butter

Monterey Cheese....(or whatever flavor you like)

I'll leave amounts up to you.

Preheat oven to 400.  Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil

Place 3 slices of bread on sheet...top with cheese slices...cover with remaining bread to make a sandwich.  Butter slices with melted butter 

Bake 15-20 mins or until golden brown

Let stand 10 mins and then cut into cubes