A Match Made in Heaven! Spicy Tomato Bisque with Grilled Cheese Hearts

Spicy Tomato Bisque with Grilled Cheese Hearts

This recipe is so simple and so fun to make especially with Valentines Day right around the corner. The  Spicy Tomato Bisque recipe is one that not only bursts with flavor but also bursts with color. The flavor is sweet with hints of spiciness and the color is a smooth deep red. The Grilled Cheese Hearts have a golden crispy butter exterior with a rich gooey cheese filling. Separately these recipes are super, together they are sublime! Just dip the Grilled Cheese in the Tomato Bisque and you'll see why the two are a match made in heaven! Salute to a perfect food match just before Valentines Day!

• Oh, and I used my frozen basil! It took no time to thaw and I just put the olive oil and basil right in the soup! Perfect!

Tyler, my little taste tester!

Crispy, Golden, Buttery Cheesiness! 

Spicy Tomato Bisque (Click to print recipe)

Serves 6

Ingredients:

1 28 oz can San Marzano Tomatoes whole
3 cups chicken broth
1 medium onion diced
1 tb minced garlic
2 tb four
2 tb butter
2 tb olive oil
1/2 t red pepper flakes
2 oz cream cheese
1 t sugar
salt n pepper
2 tb chopped fresh basil

In a sauce pan heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook until softened. Add flour and stir. Add broth, tomatoes, red pepper flakes, sugar, garlic and salt n pepper, stir and simmer for 30 minutes. Let cool. In batches puree soup in a blender or food processor. When done add back to pot and simmer on medium heat for 15 minutes. Add cream cheese and stir until blended. Serve in soup bowls.

Grilled Cheese Hearts

Ingredients:
Serves 5

10 slices Seedless Rye Bread or bread of your choice
5 slices Sharp Cheddar Cheese slices
butter
heart cookie cutter

In a large griddle or large saute pan, heat butter over medium heat. Add 5 bread slices to skillet and add one slice of cheese to each slice. Generously butter the other 5 slices of bread and add on top of slices in skillet. Cook until lightly brown 3-5 minutes and flip over. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes. On a cutting board use your heart cookie cutter to shape heart sandwiches.

Food Impressions:

Nate: "The grilled cheese is so buttery and cheesy."

Tyler: "I love dipping the grilled cheese in the soup...it's like a grilled cheese marinara."

Zachary: "Mom, I taste some spiciness in the soup. Awww I love the heart shaped grilled cheese. Can I have more of everything?"

Dave: "The grilled cheese and soup are a perfect compliment, especially the rye bread."

Andrea (me): I loved the expressions on the boys faces when they saw the heart grilled cheese. I thought the soup was outstanding. I'm not sure why I don't make tomato bisque more often, it's simply delicious and so easy to make.