We’ve made it to February, which means that Valentine’s Day is looming just over the horizon. Finding the perfect way to celebrate can feel like a lot of pressure, but you’re not alone in that struggle! There are loads of ideas for things that you and your perfect partner can do to enjoy Valentine’s Day this year.

Here at Campbell’s, we love our soups! So, what better time of year to celebrate our soups and their perfect partners than February 14th?

Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

It’s a huge thing, especially in the U.S., to have a bowl of steaming hot Cream of Tomato soup with… a cheese toastie! In America, they call them grilled cheese sandwiches, but they’re the same thing really. This may sound very simple, but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it! There are loads of things you can add to your humble cheese toastie to make it the perfect partner for a can of Campbell’s Cream of Tomato soup.

Here are just a few ideas to get you started…

Ingredients:

4 slices of bread (can be white, brown or whole grain)
4 slices of mozzarella cheese
2tbsp olive oil
A handful of baby spinach leaves
½ red pepper, sliced

Method:

•  On one side of the bread, brush over the oil in an even layer.
• Keeping the oil side on the outside, add the cheese, spinach and pepper between the bread, making a sandwich.
• If you have a toastie-maker, allow this to warm up before placing the sandwiches on the heated plate to cook through for 2-3 minutes. If you don’t have a toastie-maker then heat up a frying pan on a low heat and cook the sandwiches in the pan for 2-3 minutes, turning over halfway through. Cook until the cheese has melted and the bread is golden.

Ingredients:

4 slices of bread (can be white, brown or whole grain)
2tbsp drained sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped
4 slices of extra-mature cheddar cheese
8 fine slices of pre-cut chorizo sausage
2tbsp basil pesto

Method:

• Using the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes, brush one side of each slice of bread.
• Turn the slices over and spread the pesto on the other side.
• Layer the chorizo slices, cheddar cheese and sun-dried tomatoes on top of the pesto, in between the bread to make a sandwich.
• If you’re using a toastie-maker, then switch it on and wait for the plates to get hot before cooking the sandwiches for 2-3 minutes. Don’t worry if you don’t have one as you can heat a frying pan on a low heat. Then place the sandwiches in the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes, flipping over halfway through. Cook until all the cheese has melted.

Ingredients:

4 slices of bread (can be white, brown or whole grain)
2tbsp softened butter
2tbsp honey Dijon-style mustard
8 slices of Brie
4 slices of thick honey ham

Method:

• Butter one side of each slice of bread.
• Turn the slices over and spread with the mustard.
• Add the brie slices and honey ham on top of the mustard, between the slices of bread.
• Heat a frying pan on a low heat and place the sandwiches in the centre. Cook for approximately 2-3 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the bread is golden. Alternatively, if you have a toastie-maker then heat it up and cook the sandwich for 2-3 minutes.

These are just a few ways of adding a bit of something special to an ordinary cheese toastie, making it the perfect partner for a bowl of Cream of Tomato soup. Remember, sometimes it’s the simple things that bring the most happiness!

How do you like your cheese toasties? What are your perfect partners for a bowl of Cream of Tomato soup? Let us know on our Facebook page!