Spicy Tomato Soup with Cheddar Crackers
Tomato soup with something cheesy is definitely part of my regular rotation. Once I set my heart on this classic combo for this week's dinners, I knew I'd have to keep it light, but on the other hand, I didn't want to miss my opportunity for cheese! Then I remembered that I had a half of a brick of cheddar stashed in the fridge, so BOOM, I knew it would be crackers.
I have a handful of yummy tomato soup recipes, but this Spicy Tomato Soup recipe from Food52 remains my anchor. It is fast and it is wonderful.
Similarly, I have a handful of cheese cracker recipes that I rotate through regularly. Today, I made a particular favorite: this, from Imperial Sugar (though I don't even know where to buy Imperial Sugar; my grocery store doesn't carry it). They are like little airy versions of Cheez-Its except very fresh and twice as pretty. Never buy Cheez-Its again! (No, live your life by your terms... I'm just cracking wise!)
Planning!
Because of its butter base, the cracker recipe includes a resting/chilling period, so the first thing I did today was prepare the dough. The soup itself only takes about 45 minutes to come together and is very hands-off, so I made it during inactive moments while preparing other dishes. It's a very forgiving recipe and only gets better with time.
For the crackers, I did halve the recipe because I only need to flirt with the cheese this week; I only wanted to use what I already had in the fridge.
I do make one regular deviation from the soup recipe: I don't bother straining it. One time I made it for a guest, a good friend who I asked "do you mind if I don't strain the soup?" and she actually rolled her eyes at me. So, no apologies!
Also, I don't do the creme fraiche garnish, because I'm living the Cheese Dream!
Here's the nutritional breakdown from Fitbit...
Groceries I had on hand...
- olive oil
- red pepper flakes
- onions
- cheddar
- flour
- cayenne
- light brown sugar
- butter
- kosher salt
Groceries I had to buy...
- canned whole tomatoes (2 @ $2.59/each = $5.18)
- basil ($1.29)
Total monies spent for the entire recipe: $6.47
Total monies spent for each of these 6 dinners....
$1.08 per dinner...
Cooking!
First, the crackers. Even though I halved the recipe so was not making much cracker dough, I did use the stand mixer; it just comes together perfectly that way. I bought a scalloped cutter a couple of years ago after I fell in love with this recipe, and now I'm in love with the scalloped cutter, too! But it's just as easy to cut these out with a knife.
Then, the soup. It's a quick saute on the onions with the red pepper flakes, then a simmer with the tomatoes. Add the basil and seasoning, buzz it up (yes, I used both immersion blenders this week), and it's done. Seriously!
I. Can't. Wait. For. Dinner. Tomorrow.
