2 tablespoons butter, melted, plus more for greasing bowl
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large egg, beaten
7 slices cheddar cheese
Crouton Fries
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons dried oregano
½ teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
Nutrition Info
Calories 424
Fat 33g
Carbs 27g
Fiber 3g
Sugar 11g
Protein 13g
How to Make It
1. Step
Make the tomato soup: melt the butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and stir for 6-8 minutes, until the onions just start to brown.
2. Step
Add the garlic and stir for another minute. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, heavy cream, salt, and pepper.
3. Step
Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Step
Remove the soup from heat and transfer to a blender. Remove vent so that steam can escape. Blend for 2 minutes, until the soup is smooth and thick. Alternatively, leave the soup in the pot and use an immersion blender.
5. Step
Make the grilled cheese bowl: cut the crusts off the bread and set aside in a medium bowl.
6. Step
Arrange the bread slices into 3 lines: a line of 5, a line of 4, and a line of 2.
7. Step
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and garlic and use a brush to spread the mixture over each piece of bread.
8. Step
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
9. Step
Brush the bottom of each slice in egg wash and then dab the bottom of each piece of bread in the line of 5 and the line of 4. Dab all four sides of the bread in the group of 2. Overlap the edges of the 5 pieces of bread, then press the edges together to adhere. Repeat with the line of 4.
10. Step
In a greased medium oven-safe bowl, place one of the single slices of bread. Then, take the line of 5 slices and make it into a circle on the inside of the bowl. Press down the edges to adhere to the piece of bread at the bottom of the bowl.
11. Step
Cover the bread with 6 slices of cheese. Lay the remaining single slice of bread over the cheese, then make a circle with the line of 4 slices of bread, pressing to seal the edges and adhere to the bread below. Lay the remaining slice of cheese on the bottom.
12. Step
Using a small bowl, press down on the bread bowl to compress slightly.
13. Step
Bake for 15 minutes, until the bread is golden brown.
14. Step
Make the crouton fries: Add the olive oil, oregano, pepper, and salt to the bowl with the crusts. Toss until thoroughly coated. Transfer the crusts to a large baking sheet.
15. Step
Bake for 5 minutes, until the crusts are golden brown.
16. Step
Remove the bowl and crouton fries from oven. Use tongs to move the bread bowl from the bowl to a serving dish. Fill with tomato soup.
