Creamy Tomato Soup

I love comfort food and nothing screams that like tomato soup with grilled cheese. I found this recipe in CopyKat.com's Dining Out at Home Cookbook 2. It is a copy of the creamy tomato soup from Panera Bread.

Here's what you need:

• 1/4 cup of butter
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 tsp chopped garlic
• 4 tbsp flour
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 3 (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (I used 2 no salt added and 1 fire roasted)
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

Here's what you need to do:

• In a large pot over medium-high heat melt your butter and add the chopped onion and garlic. 
• Cook until the onion is translucent but continue to stir so you do not brown the garlic.
• Add the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring continually so the flour does not brown.
• Add 1 cup of half-and-half and stir until mixture thickens, then add the second cup of half-and-half.
• When your base has thickened, stir in sugar, baking soda, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, oregano, diced tomatoes and Italian seasoning.
• If you have an immersion blender, blend the mixture but leave some chunks. If you do not have an immersion blender, transfer to a standard blender and puree. 
• Simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to blend.

I also made grilled cheese with this using a hearty bread grilled on pure butter. Seriously, go big or go home. 

If you have a chance, grab a copy of CopyKat.com's Dining Out at Home Cookbook 2. There are SO many great recipes in there including Cracker Barrels fried chicken and Chili's skillet queso (SO good!).