Tomato Soup with Cheese and Onion Toast

INGREDIENTS:

For the Tomato Soup:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 2 cans (28 oz each) whole peeled tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil, for garnish

For the Cheese and Onion Toast:

• 4 slices of crusty bread
• 2 tbsp butter, softened
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

INSTRUCTIONS:

Prepare the Tomato Soup:

1. Sauté Vegetables:
   • In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
   • Add the minced garlic and chopped carrot. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
2. Add Tomato Base:
   • Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes.
   • Add the whole peeled tomatoes (with their juice), vegetable broth, sugar, dried basil, and dried oregano. Bring the mixture to a boil.
3. Simmer:
   • Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes.
4. Blend:
   • Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth, or blend in batches using a regular blender.
5. Season:
   • Season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep warm on low heat.

Prepare the Cheese and Onion Toast:

1. Preheat Oven:
   • Preheat your oven’s broiler or a toaster oven.
2. Prepare Toast:
   • Spread the softened butter on one side of each slice of bread.
   • Place the buttered slices on a baking sheet, buttered side up. Top with thinly sliced onion, then sprinkle with shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.
3. Broil:
   • Broil until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 3-5 minutes. Watch closely to avoid burning.

Serve:

1. Serve Soup:
   • Ladle the hot soup into bowls.
   • Serve each bowl with a slice of cheese and onion toast.
2. Garnish:
   • Garnish the soup with fresh basil leaves.

NUTRITION INFORMATION (PER SERVING):

Tomato Soup:

• Calories: 160
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 690mg
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugars: 10g
• Protein: 4g

Cheese and Onion Toast (per slice):

• Calories: 330
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Cholesterol: 50mg
• Sodium: 550mg
• Carbohydrates: 26g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 5g
• Protein: 14g

Total for a bowl of soup with one slice of toast:

• Calories: 490
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 13g
• Cholesterol: 50mg
• Sodium: 1240mg
• Carbohydrates: 48g
• Fiber: 7g
• Sugars: 15g
• Protein: 18g

Enjoy this delicious and comforting mea