This soup has all of the classic components of tomato and rice soup, but the flavor becomes deeper and more concentrated because the tomatoes are roasted. The oven truly brings out their hidden flavors. I like to use plum tomatoes because they are sturdy enough to stand up well to roasting. You don’t even have to peel them first.

Ingredients:

Roasted Tomatoes
12 plum tomatoes, cut into halves
3 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Soup
3 tablespoons butter
3 whole cloves garlic, peeled
1 large Spanish onion, peeled and diced
5 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 ribs celery, sliced
Roasted plum tomatoes
6 sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil
6 cups vegetable or chicken stock
3 cups tomato juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2^1/2 cups cooked white rice
4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1^1/2 to 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese Croutons, for garnish

Directions:

For the roasted tomatoes: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Place the tomatoes in a small roasting pan. Toss with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place in the oven and roast for 50 minutes, or until the skins look wrinkled but the tomatoes retain their shape.

For the soup: In a stockpot melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the roasted tomatoes and continue to sauté for 5 minutes. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, stock, and tomato juice.

Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes. Add the basil. Puree the soup in the pot using a hand blender or working in batches with a regular blender until smooth. Place the soup back into the pot if using a regular blender. Add the rice and season with Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir so that the rice is evenly distributed throughout the soup. Sprinkle each serving with cheese and croutons.

Makes 10 servings. Instead of serving a grilled cheese sandwich on the side, garnish the soup with freshly grated, sharp cheddar cheese and crisp croutons. You get the same cheese flavor and toasty crunch in a more interesting presentation.