After all that “holiday food”, doesn’t this look good?!!

This is one of those, let’s see what’s in the pantry and fridge for lunch that’s quick and easy recipes that’s so stupid-simple it’s crazy ridiculous! But wow what a delicious cup of soup!! I was trying not to just INHALE the whole cup and slurp it down in one continuos gulp and pace myself dipping with my grilled cheese it was so good!! 

I used to love Campbell’s Tomato soup when I was a little girl! Remember when it came out of the can in a complete and whole, creamy tube-shape after a few shakes and back-glug-schlooshy-squiiiiggy-glop sound was made?

Just slowly add some milk, a pat of butter, and add a toasty-warm, gooey grilled cheese sandwich and you had the best after-school wintertime treat there was!!

So what happened??? Why did they have to change their soups so much?

The last “cream” of tomato soup I bought of theirs looked like a can of watered down tomato sauce. So disappointing!

The only one they haven’t drastically changed as much as the others is their cream of mushroom soup only because the “holiday green bean casserole” would no longer work if they did.

Ha! …. So what’s a girl to do??

Make it myself. And make it even better! 😉

If it were summertime, I’d use fresh tomatoes right from my garden, but since it’s winter, and grocery store tomatoes only vaguely – – only by a stretch of the imagination – – resemble, look and taste like real tomatoes, I opted for a can of darned good diced tomatoes made by Hunt’s.

They’re nice-sized chunks, not too big so that there’s not too much juice, and they have tons of really tasty and interesting varieties now. From what I used, their Green Pepper, Celery & Onion kind; to Garlic, Oregano & Basil, Rosemary & Oregano, Spicy Red Pepper, and Fire-Roasted Garlic!!

They actually have 14 different kinds to choose from! And the ones they sent me to try have all been exceptionally good! I hope our stores carry the rest of the flavor varieties, because I’d really like to try them all!

This was the only can that got “annhilated” in the blender, ha!, but they didn’t seem to mind, and played nicely and courteously with the other ingredients!

It turned into quite a sophisticated tomato soup that I would be proud to serve to a guest for lunch! I think I’d make a more fun grilled cheese, but the soup was perfect just as it was. 😉    

So if you’re fed up with canned “soups” that no more resemble soup than winter tomatoes resemble tomatoes, here’s a very nice alternative for you to try!

It literally took me 5 minutes to make (including the grilled cheese sandwiches!), and tasted like a very nice restaurant or bistro cafe would serve but at a fraction of the price!

Hope you enjoy! And be sure to invite your best friend over to share memories, laughs and great conversation with! Lunch is always more fun when you have someone to share it with! 😉

5-INGREDIENT 5-MINUTE CREAMY TOMATO, PESTO & RANCH SOUP

3-4 small servings with a sandwich /or 2-3 servings a la carte

INGREDIENTS:

1 (14.5 oz.) can Hunt’s Diced Tomatoes with Green Pepper, Celery & Onion, (or any flavor variety)

1/4 cup + 1 Tbl. prepared Ranch Dressing (in the bottle)

1/4 cup heavy cream

1 Tbl. basil pesto

1 Tbl. butter

DIRECTIONS:

Dump can of tomatoes, juice and all, into blender. Add Ranch Dressing and heavy cream. Blend until creamy. Pour into a small saucepan. Stir in pesto and add butter. Heat until steaming hot and butter is melted, stirring occasionally. Serve with grilled cheese sandwiches if desired for dunkin’! 😉 

*A little salt and/or pepper can be added if desired, but I didn’t add any myself. Taste once heated first, then see if it needs it for your own personal taste.