VITAMIX FRESH TOMATO SOUP WITH GRILLED CHEESE

Good old fashioned tomato soup and grilled cheese...though we do it a bit differently.

Tillamook grilled cheese

Grilled cheese sandwiches. We use two slices of sharp Tillamook cheddar on each sandwich and salted butter spread on the outside.  Of course, we cook it in a hot skillet until toasted and browned on each side. Nothing much different there.

Vitamix soup

Here is where we make this soup a bit differently.  We use our Vitamix blender.  First we put in 16 oz of cherry tomatoes, these are two varieties (sold to us like that, two mixed together).  

Then we add 1 tsp dried basil and 1/2 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp dried minced onion to the tomatoes.  We also add 1 clove of garlic for that great Italian flavor.

Cherry tomato soup Vitamix

Lastly, we add 1 TBSP olive oil and 1/4 cup water or broth (we used chicken broth) and put the lid on.  

Vitamix Tomato soup

We blend it for about 7 minutes.  Here is the thing with a Vitamix that's very unique: the longer it goes, the centrifugal force begins to heat up the contents.  Believe it or not, it comes out scorching hot.  When you take the lid off, steam actually comes off.  It's pretty crazy but also really convenient.  

Almost instant hot soup!

We pour it in a bowl, swirl in a bit of balsamic vinegar, cut the grilled cheese in half and enjoy.  It's a very "fresh" tasting soup.  You get the pure flavor of the tomatoes and of course the olive oil, basil, dried onion, garlic and vinegar all add a bright finish to it.  

It's not old fashioned Campbell's tomato but it's pretty darn good!