More [Grilled] Cheese, Please!

A few days ago some friends and I got together and made some fancy grilled cheeses. We all agreed that fancy grilled cheese night was one of our favorites, it allows each person to make their own sandwich exactly how they want it and it is super easy. Not to mention that it helps you finish off random thing from your refrigerator that there isn't quite enough of to make a whole dish. I ended up buying some cheese, prosciutto, an avocado, and a loaf of bread. That's it! Along with the sandwiches I made a big pot of tomato soup which was delicious on this particularly chilly fall night!

Tomato Soup (serves 6)
1 large onion, medium dice
2 tbs. olive oil
1 c. Spicy V8 (or just plain tomato juice)
2 1/2 c. water
24 oz canned crush tomatoes (one big can and one smaller one)
1.5 tsp worcestershire sauce
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
6 oz heavy cream

Optional:
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried red pepper flakes
A dash of paprika (adds a smokey flavor)

Sweat onions in oil then deglaze the pan with the V8. Add water, crushed tomatoes, herbs, and pepper flakes. Let it simmer for 30 minutes. Blend with a stick blender (or a real blender) and return to the pot. Add the worcestershire sauce, paprika, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and add the cream. At this point your soup is done, if you wanted to add in some fresh basil, parsley, or other herbs this would be the time to do so!

*The spicy V8 and red pepper flakes make the soup have a little spice to it, I like it but if you don't like spice then just use regular tomato juice and omit the red pepper flakes.

Our toppings:
-Fresh mozzarella
-White cheddar
-Ricotta
-Cream cheese
-Prosciutto
-Avocado
-Sundried Tomatoes
-Olives
-Jams and jellies
-garlic

I just laid everything out and let everyone else make their own combinations. I have to say they were all delicious!

 I put ricotta, mozz, sun-dried tomatoes, avocado, and prosciutto on mine. After I grilled it I also rubbed a raw garlic clove on the crunchy outside of the bread which gave it a yummy garlic-bread flavor!

Also, because it is national cat day here is a picture of the lovely Willow. 

This photo was taken by my friend Maya

xx -c