Fire Roasted Tomato Bisque

Who doesn't think grilled cheese and tomato soup isn't one of  the top comfort foods ever?  I have been craving this combo all week!   I am a big fan of Amy's Organic Tomato Bisque...but sadly, I had none in my pantry.  Then I remembered a tomato soup recipe developed by a fellow blog buddy Biz from My Bizzy Kitchen.  Biz is what I believe to be a mastermind at soups...really.  Check out her blog, it's full of great  healthy recipes, but I most admire her for her wonderful soups!

I have always been a bit skeptical about soups that are quick cooking...feeling they lack that depth of flavor a long simmering soup gets.  They often taste "flat" to me.  But NOT this soup!  It has a nice complex flavor with minimal simmer time, making it perfect for a quick dinner or lunch.  Paired with a skinny grilled cheese ( 2 slices of Nickels 35 Multi-grain bread, 2 pp, with a slice of WW American Cheese, 1pp, lightly toasted in a nonstick skillet with cooking spray) it makes a really satisfying meal for 5pp!  I have to give the WW brand of cheese a shout out.  I don't often buy WW brand foods, but I am fond of their dairy products, especially the cheese.  The American I used in the sandwich has good flavor and melts beautifully all for 1pp per slice.  I also love the WW string cheese and cream cheese...all regular staples at my house.

I admit, I did change up Biz's recipe a bit to my taste ( I like my tomato soup on the sweet side)  and with the ingredients I had on hand.

Fire Roasted Tomato Bisque 
adapted from MyBizzyKitchen

Servings - 8   Serving size - approx. 1 1/2 cups   PP per svg - 2 points+

Calories - 79,   Total Fat - 1.9g,   Carb. - 13.1g,   Protein - 2g,   Fiber - 2.2g

Ingredients:

1TBS unsalted butter

1/2 cup - 1 cup diced onions

1 carrot, peeled and diced

2 cloves of garlic, minced 

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

1 - 28oz can diced tomatoes ( low salt if you can find them ) 

1 - 14 oz. can fire roasted diced tomatoes

1 TBS granulated sugar

3 cups low sodium, fat free chicken broth

salt and pepper, to taste

1/2 cup fat free half and half

Directions:

1.  Heat butter in dutch oven or large stock pot.  Add onion, carrot, and garlic, and thyme.  Cook until vegetables are soft and fragrant.   Add both cans of tomatoes, sugar and chicken broth.  Bring to boil and then partially cover and turn down to a simmer.  Allow to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.  

2.  Turn off heat.  With an immersion blender, carefully puree soup.  Once the soup is nice and smooth, add in the fat free half and half and salt and pepper to taste.  Garnish with a dollop of fat free plain greek yogurt.

Cooks Note:  I think this soup would also be excellent if you swap the thyme with dried basil or fresh basil.  If using fresh basil, add when you add the half and half at the end. 

PRINTABLE RECIPE

This combo of grilled cheese and tomato soup has to be one of my all time favorite comfort foods.  As you can tell by my recipes, I am a big fan of comfort food!  What are your favorite comfort foods?