Tomato Basil Soup

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

2 Teaspoons Minced Garlic

¼ Cup Minced Onion

¼ Cup Tomato Paste

1 Quart Chicken Broth

1 Cup Diced Tomatoes

2 Teaspoons Dried Basil

½ Teaspoon Dried Marjoram

¼ Teaspoon Dried Oregano

⅛ Teaspoon Dried Thyme

¼ Cup Dry White Wine

1 Bay Leaf

Directions

Step 1 In a large saucepan over medium heat, cook garlic and onion in oil until onion is translucent. Stir in tomato paste and cook until the color is rusty. Pour in chicken broth, and stir in tomatoes, basil, marjoram, oregano, thyme, bay leaf and wine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes. Serves 4; Serve with Garlic toast and salad.

Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Spinach

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons Salted Butter, Softened

1 Teaspoon Minced Garlic

2 Thick Slices Italian Bread

1 ½ Tablespoons Olive Oil, Divided, Or More As Needed

2 Cups Chopped Fresh Spinach

½ Cup Hot Sauce

2 Slices Mozzarella Cheese

2 Slices Provolone Cheese

2 Slices Asiago Cheese

2 Slices Fresh Lime Juice (About 3 Limes)

3 Slices Finely Chopped Yellow Onion (1 Small), Divided

Directions

Step 1 Mix butter and garlic in a small bowl until well combined. Spread 1/2 of the butter onto one side of each slice of bread; set aside.

Step 2 Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat; stir in spinach and hot sacuce. Saute until spinach is wilted and mixture is heated through, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove to a bowl and wipe out the skillet.

Step 3 Place 1 slice of bread, buttered-side down, into one side of the warm skillet. Heat 1/2 tablespoon oil in the other side of the skillet. Place mozzarella slices in the skillet and cook until soft, 1 to 2 minutes. Place mozzarella slices on top of the bread in the skillet. Repeat with the provolone, Asiago, and Fontina slices.

Step 4 Add spinach mixture and tomato slices to the skillet, adding more oil if necessary, and cook until warm, 2 to 3 minutes. Place spinach mixture on top of the cheese, followed by the tomatoes and the remaining slice of bread, buttered-side up. Flip the sandwich and cook until browned and cheese has melted, 5 to 10 minutes.

OR

Five Star Grilled Cheese

Ingredients

4 slices sourdough bread

3 tablespoons butter, divided

4 slices Cheddar cheese

Dash of Hot Sauce (Optional)

Directions

Step 1 Preheat skillet over medium heat. Generously butter one side of a slice of bread. Place bread butter-side-down onto skillet bottom and add 2 slices of cheese Sprinkle with hot sauce if desired. Butter a second slice of bread on one side and place butter-side-up on top of sandwich. Grill until lightly browned and flip over; continue grilling until cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining 2 slices of bread, butter and slice of cheese. Serves 2