Bernier 2 Bernier 1 Andrew Bernier Mrs. Niesen English 101 Sept. 2, 2021 Easy Comfort Food: Two of the most Common, yet most Delicious Recipes to Make I remember one night in May of last year when one of my “virtual school assignments” while in quarantine during the start of the pandemic was to make dinner and document it. I came to my parents for advice, and they had a simple, yet wonderful idea: what about grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup? Now, my dad is a grilled cheese veteran, so he didn’t hesitate to take me under his wing. As we cooked, the scent was delightful, just like you’d expect any such good food to smell. The sandwiches toasted in the pan, one at a time, of course, and the tomato soup bubbled appetizingly as we worked. It took a little while, but it was worth it when the meal was complete; it tasted like heaven, and it felt good to enjoy a meal and say, “hey, I made this.” And thanks to our combined efforts, my father and I were brought even closer together since that night. Bernier 2 Here is a picture I took that day showcasing our beautiful creation: And here is a recipe I found on the Internet to create this “sandwich from Heaven,” sourced from VELVEETA® Ultimate Grilled Cheese - My Food and Family: Velveeta Ultimate Grilled Cheese Ingredients: • 8 slices white bread • 6 oz. Velveeta, sliced • 8 tsp. soft margarine Bernier 2 Bernier 2 Directions: 1. Fill bread slices with Velveeta to make 4 sandwiches. 2. Spread outsides of sandwiches with margarine. 3. Cook in skillet on medium heat 3 min. on each side or until golden brown on both sides. Simple, yet delicious. I am certain this is close enough to the recipe my dad uses whenever he makes sandwiches, sometimes even adding in sour cream to the sandwiches themselves for a healthier, creamier option. And why would they call it “grilled cheese and tomato soup” if there was no way to make the soup? After some very careful research, here is the recipe I could find which is closest to the one my dad and I used that day, sourced from Best Ever Creamy Homemade Tomato Soup (Life-Changing) - Foodess: Best –Ever Homemade Tomato Soup Ingredients: • • • • • • 4 tbsp butter ½ cup diced onion 2 tbsp all-purpose flour 2 cups milk, preferably whole ¼ tsp baking soda 3 ½ cups diced tomatoes; include the juice if using canned; if using fresh and you have a good blender, no need to peel them • 2 tsp granulated sugar • Salt to taste (I use about 2 tsp kosher salt, but it really depends if the butter and tomatoes had salt) Instructions: 1. Heat the butter in large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened and translucent (not browned), about 6 minutes. Stir in flour, cook Bernier 2 Bernier 3 one minute, then gradually whisk in milk. Add baking soda, tomatoes, and sugar. Simmer 10 minutes, then blend (either with an immersion blender, or in small batches in a regular blender-[I’m pretty sure when my father and I made it, we simply stirred the mix with a wooden or plastic spoon, but this works, too]careful, hot liquids will explode out if you overfill!). Add salt by pinches, tasting as you go until soup tastes vibrant and well-seasoned. In conclusion, regardless of however changed these online recipes are from the steps I remember following in that unforgettable experience one spring evening last year, particularly the tomato soup, I understand that everyone may sometimes follow similar concepts in the culinary field of life with their own unique personal flair. Any way you slice it, we shall never forget the exciting times we shared a meal with one another, or learned a new way to recreate a family recipe.
