Grilled Pimento Cheese with Roasted Heirloom Tomato Soup
Thank you for the encouraging words yesterday. Honestly, I’m kind of hesitant to talk about it for fear that I will jinx it somehow. I’m one of those people who thinks gushing about how excited I am will ultimately result in the destruction of all my plans. I know it’s completely irrational to think that way but I can’t help it.
Until said plans have passed, I’m going to say I really hope it works out okay. That’s safe, right?
Well, if all else fails, at least there’s grilled cheese and tomato soup.
This meal brings me back to elementary school, when I used to sit in the school nurse’s office, waiting for my mom to come pick me up because I ‘wasn’t feeling well’. My mom would take me right home, send me to the couch with a blanket and a pillow and serve me a warm grilled cheese with tomato soup and a cold glass of apple juice.
If that doesn’t cure all of your ailments, I don’t know what will.
On the other hand, pimento cheese reminds me of summertime in North Carolina. I used to go to visit my father during the summer and he always had fresh pimento cheese in his refrigerator. It took almost zero effort to whip out two slabs of bread, smother them with pimento cheese and stuff it in my face. Oh, so good.
As you can imagine, the 7-year old in me was thrilled when I saw the grilled pimento cheese at the Kendall-Jackson Heirloom Tomato Festival last month. It brought back all the right memories and left me hungry for more.
The vendor served their grilled cheese with an awesome heirloom tomato jam but I thought a roasted tomato soup seemed a little more appropriate for fall.
Have I confessed my love for heirloom tomatoes?
Roasting them with fresh garlic and onions draws out that irresistible juicy flavor that makes my heart sing. {Love}
I lightened up the pimento cheese by using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise and you can’t even tell the difference. It was still creamy and mouth-watering delicious…and it was even better dipped in that warm tomato soup.
Grilled Pimento Cheese with Roasted Heirloom Tomato Soup
Pimento Cheese
Adapted from Kath Eats Real Food
Ingredients
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (fresh, not pre-grated cheese)
- 4 ounce jar diced pimentos
- 1/4 cup plain nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Roasted Heirloom Tomato Soup
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh heirloom tomatoes, cored and roughly chopped
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced
- 5 garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons butter (I used Earth Balance)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped
Makes about 4 servings
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and spread the tomatoes, onion and garlic onto a baking or roasting dish. Coat them with the olive oil, salt & pepper then roast in the oven for 35 minutes.
- Combine all of the ingredients for the pimento cheese into a large dish and mix together.
- Warm a skillet over medium heat and prepare the bread for the grilled cheese by spreading a thin layer of Earth Balance (or butter) onto the outsides of each piece.
- Spread about 1/4 cup pimento cheese into the center and cook sandwich on each side for about four to five minutes, until golden brown.
- After tomatoes are done cooking, heat vegetable broth in a large pot over medium heat. Place tomatoes into a blender and pulse until a thick and chunky texture is achieved then add to the pot with the broth. Alternatively, you could use an immersion blender and blend everything in the pot.
- Add the Earth Balance (or butter) and oregano to the pot and reduce to a simmer. Allow to cook for five to ten minutes.
- Lastly, stir in the chopped basil and serve warm with the grilled cheese.
I don’t know about you but now I’m craving grilled cheese…again. Das good stuff mon.
What meal used to make you feel better as a kid?
Do you dip your grilled cheese in tomato soup?
I hope your photos tomorrow go “OK” too! And I hope you guys have fun taking them!
I’ve never had pimento cheese… is that bad?! Your version looks delicious, though, so I’m thinking I’ll have to try it soon. Sounds perfect with that roasted tomato soup!
Have fun at the photo shoot tomorrow! You are a gorgeous couple, so I know the pictures will be beautiful!
FYI, grilled cheese and tomato soup is one of my all time favorite meals. I have warm memories of my mom making this meal for me while I was sick as a kid. I will definitely be trying out your recipe with the pimentos!
Woo…good look at the photo shoot tomorrow! That’s super exciting.
I’ve been all over soup recipes lately. It has been a little insane, but literally as soon as I come home that is all I crave! I can’t help it…must be the time of year.
This soup just looks amazing.
Have I ever told you that grilled cheeses are my favorite food? Because they are. Wanna know something else? I’ve never had pimento cheese.
This recipe is making my life feel really empty. I didn’t know how much I needed this meal until just now.
Sending you okay thoughts for okay photos. I mean, you guys are okay looking, so I’m sure it’ll all be okay.
This looks SO good! I just made a grilled turkey and sharp cheddar cheese for lunch today! Now that the weather is getting cooler, I’ve been craving grilled cheese and paninis!
Glad to have stumbled upon your blog. I’m also from Northern California!
Yay for NorCal bloggers! :)
Oh my gosh. These pictures are beautiful and they are making me so happy it’s still so warm here in Northern California because there are still tomatoes at the Farmers Market! Best of luck tomorrow but I am sure you’ll be fine…can’t wait to see how the photos turn out! :)
Have so much fun at the photo shoot! Can’t wait to see the pics :) I couldn’t tell ya the last time I’ve had a grilled cheese sandwich… oh boy!
your food always looks so amazing .. i can’t even deal! lol so jealous
MMMM I’ve always loved grilled cheese and I still do. This fancier grilled cheese looks amazing. I’d say my mom used to make me chicken noodle soup–it’s still one of my go-to’s for when I’m feeling under the weather. Good luck with your photos!! I can’t wait to see how they turn out.
I can’t wait to see how the pictures turn out!
Confession: I don’t think I’ve ever had pimento cheese. Am I missing out? Although grilled cheese itself…wonderful. And while I love dipping it in tomato soup, I think ketchup has to win out for me. Nothing beats grilled cheese and ketchup!
My ‘sick meal’ when I was a kid was cinnamon sugar toast – my mom would always make it for me when my stomach was upset. These days, it’s my hangover food ;-)
I personally love it so I would say you are missing out, but that’s just me.
Cinnamon sugar toast is so simple but so good. I could see that fixing a belly ache right away!
Holy smokes this sandwich and soup look delicious! If your engagement photos are half as good as your photos in this post, you’ll be golden <3 Enjoy the photo taking experience!
Have a great time with the photo shoot! Not guna lie, it is kind of awkward at first but you’ll get into it. Grant was so uncomfortable with the whole thing (he didn’t even want to do them) especially the pics when we had to hold each other and kiss but our photographer was so awesome that Grant quickly got into them. Enjoy it while it lasts!
Thanks Christine! It was a little awkward at times but I expected that. It was funny though because Brandon kept asking the photographer what to do after every few pictures. He didn’t get the whole “act natural” thing. I think they still came out good though. We’ll see! :)
Have a great time at the photo shoot! This meals looks fabulous! I always loved grilled cheese and tomato soup as a kid, and this is such a gourmet, adult version of it. Sounds fantastic!
You don’t even know how excited I was to see this recipe on your blog today!! I love pimento cheese and actually made Kath’s version a few weeks ago though I’m excited to try yours! Also on the list to make this week: your pumpkin cream cheese muffins (veganized :)) for my cousin and her boyfriend who are coming to visit! Have an awesome day, Sarah! And can’t wait to see how the engagement pictures turn out!
Thank you Alex! I hope you have a great visit with your cousin! :)
This reminds me of a weigh watcher recipe I used to make in high school, only it used cream cheese and there was a splash of pickle juice. I love the idea of using Greek yogurt in this (though I still might add the splash of pickle juice instead of the lemon — it’s crazy amazing).
I think it would be awesome with pickle juice! YUM.
That sandwich looks and sounds outstanding!! I’m a HUGE grilled cheese and tomato soup fan. Dipping is what it’s all about. I have to say I am completely the same way when it comes to “happy” things. I always use the word “jinx” and people are always like, “oh, stop.’ I can’t help it. Best of luck though…I know it will be wonderful! :)
Thank you for letting me know I’m not alone in my paranoia of jinxing things! :)
shocker…this looks incredible!!!
shocker…my favourite comfort food growing up was grilled cheese and tomato soup!!!
I have a very sneaky adaptation I’m going to make on the grilled cheese that I think you’ll like ;) I’ll keep you posted!
Good luck tomorrow!!
I can’t wait to see what it is! :)
Ok this looks absolutely amazing. My only wish is that I could call someone and have them come pick me up at work and make me this meal! :) You definitely will not jinx your engagement photos and they definitely will turn out amazing! There is just no other possible outcome. But good luck anyway!
Scrumptious soup! Good luck with your photo shoot. I’d love to see a few pics :)
I seriously LOVE you for this post!! The idea to use pimento cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich is pure genius!
This looks UNREAL, Sarah. There’s just no better combo that a nice grilled cheese sandwich + some killer tomato soup. My cold weather staple!
Amy @ Chobani
Thank you, Amy! I agree, it is the absolute best combo!
Oh yum!! I am a huge pimento cheese fan! No proper southern lady would be caught without a recipe for it! I love adding tomatoes to my grilled cheese too. Hope you photo shoot goes fantastic! :)
Yes, pimento cheese is definitely a southern recipe! Thanks Tracey. :)
This MUST BE the best combo ever. Soup and grilled cheese. Mmmmm. Now I think I might have to make one tonight!
Such comfort food right here. I had the best tomato soup and grilled cheese in NYC this past weekend, yum!
I’ve never had that combination before but it sounds and looks really delicious! My mum always used to make me mac and cheese when I used to have to go to the dentist as a kid a lot as I had braces.
Grilled cheese & tomato soup is one of my favorite combos ever – so good!! Your picture are gorgeous as usual. Growing up my mom would make pastina whenever my siblings or I didn’t feel great.
Hope the shoot went fabulously!!!
Oh my gosh, what a yummy looking recipe! I love grilled cheese, and any variation of that, especially with tomato soup- what a great combination!
This looks so delicious.The combo of sharp cheddar and pimento sounds yummy and I love tomato soup especially made with fresh tomatoes!
What a delicious looking sandwich! It sounds like one of the best combos ever. Wow, that heirloom tomato soup is calling my name ;)
Good luck with the photos! x
This seriously looks like one of the best meals possible. Grilled cheese is one of my absolute favorites and even though I’ve never made roasted tomato soup, my cafeteria has it sometimes, and I LOVE it (and I bet homemade is way better than in the cafeteria!!). If a meal like this doesn’t cure a cold, I don’t know what will!!!
Yuum, tomato soup and grilled cheese = the ultimate comfort food. I saw an article last night when I was hungry called ‘The 10 craziest and best grilled cheese combos’ and about died. Now I have to live vicariously through your pictures. :)
Soup and grilled cheese was the go-to meal at my house when anyone was sick. There is nothing better! This version looks so fancy and sophisticated. I haven’t actually tried pimento cheese, but Kath on Katheatsrealfood raved about it and so I have it on the plans to make it real soon!
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