Originally published in the December 2011 issue. Photo by Andrew Grinton.
Monte Cristo Panini with Creamy Tomato Pesto Soup
7
PREP TIME
15 min
TOTAL TIME
35 min
Makes
6 Servings
Photo: Andrew Grinton
Tomato soup and grilled cheese is a way of life. We put a classy spin on the pair by adding pesto to the soup and ham and Swiss to the sandwich. You're going to dig it.
Ingredients
- 12 slies Texas sandwich bread , preferable whole wheat
- 2 tsp to 1 tbsp Dijon mustard , optional
- 250 g sliced Swiss
- 175 g sliced Black Forest ham
- 3 cups packed baby spinach leaves , optional
- 2 tbsp butter
FOR SOUP:
- 1 tbsp butter , optional
- 1/2 sweet onion , finely chopped (optional)
- 670 mL bottle strained tomatoes
- 900 mL carton chicken broth
- 3 tbsp pesto
- 1/2 cup 35% cream
- 50 mL grated Parmesan , optional
Instructions
- Lay out 6 bread slices and lightly spread with mustard, if using. Top with a cheese slice and a few ham slices, folding under as needed. Over each, mound 1/2 cup of the spinach leaves, if using. Top each with another cheese slice and remaining bread.
- Now, make the soup. In a saucepan, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat, then add onion. Stir often until onion is very soft, 8 to 10 min. (For a smooth soup, omit butter and onion.) Add tomatoes, broth and pesto. Stir occasionally until hot, about 10 min. Remove from heat and stir in cream.
- Meanwhile, melt 1 tbsp butter in a large frying pan, on medium heat, and swirl to coat. Add half of sandwiches to pan. Using a pot or flat pan lid that’s smaller than the frying pan, firmly press down sandwiches. Cook, covered, until sandwich undersides are golden, 2 to 4 min. Turn, then press and cover again. Continue cooking until golden on both sides, 2 to 4 min. Remove to baking sheet and cover with foil to keep warm.
- Repeat with remaining sandwiches. Slice sandwiches in half. Serve with a bowl or mug of soup, garnished with a little Parmesan if you like.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories
- 556,
- Protein
- 22 g,
- Carbohydrates
- 55 g,
- Fat
- 28 g,
- Fibre
- 7 g,
