Chosen Bites: A summer match made in heaven

Winter’s favorite comfort food can become a lighter version with just a few tweaks and twists.

By LAURA FRANKEL
Chilled Yellow Tomato Soup 370 (photo credit: Laura Frankel)
Chilled Yellow Tomato Soup 370
(photo credit: Laura Frankel)
Sometimes a classic combination is just what you are craving. Winter’s favorite comfort food can become a lighter version with just a few tweaks and twists. I took the grilled cheese sandwich literally for this summer sandwich and loaded a baguette with cheese, fresh herbs and hot chili slices and then grilled the sandwich until the cheese was a melted, glorious concoction.
My favorite tomato soup was reborn as a chilled version with added creaminess from roasted garlic and a generous glug of extra virgin olive oil.
Chilled Yellow Tomato SoupServes 4
2 pounds yellow tomatoes1/3 cup Extra virgin olive oil3 cloves roasted garlic2 tablespoons chopped basil1 teaspoon fresh lemon juiceKosher salt and freshly cracked pepperSuggested garnishes:  herbed croutons, basil, grated cheese, diced tomatoes
Preheat oven to 350
Lightly rub the tomatoes with 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and place the tomatoes on a parchment lined baking sheet. Roast the tomatoes until they are lightly browned and the skins are wrinkled (about 30 minutes). Cool the tomatoes.
Peel off the skins and process the tomatoes and the remaining ingredients in a food processor or blender. Adjust seasoning.
Serve chilled with garnishes.
Grilled Cheese-Summer StyleServes 4
1 baguette, sliced in half lengthwise½ cup grated cheddar cheese½ cup grated provolone cheese (or your favorite cheese)2 tomatoes, sliced¼ cup chopped olives1 small hot chili, sliced (optional)Handful of fresh herbs (basil, parsley, oregano, chives)
Preheat grill to medium or oven to 148 C.
Pull out some of the dough from the bread to make a hollow in in the bottom and top piece of baguette.
Layer the cheese and other filling ingredients on the baguette. Wrap in foil and grill or bake for 15 minutes.
Slice and serve.
Chef Laura Frankel is Executive Chef for Spertus Kosher Catering and author of Jewish Cooking for All Seasons, and Jewish Slow Cooker Recipes.