By Kristi O’Toole

This Skillet will put an end to the question of what to eat first, the grilled cheese or the tomato soup!

Ingredients:

10 slices soft white sandwich bread
3 tbsp (45 mL) butter, melted
2 pints grape tomatoes, divided
3 cups (750 mL) vegetable broth

1 medium onion
1 tbsp (15 mL) plus 1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) olive oil
3 garlic cloves, pressed
1 lb (450 g) uncooked medium shell pasta
1/2 cup (125 mL) heavy whipping cream
2 tsp (10 mL) salt
1 tsp (5 mL) coarsely ground black pepper
2 cups (500 mL) shredded sharp cheddar cheese (8 oz/250 g), divided
Chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Directions:

Using Color Coated Tomato Knife, trim crusts from bread to form 3-in. (7.5-cm) squares; discard crusts. Brush one side of bread slices with butter using Chef’s Silicone Basting Brush. Arrange bread slices in a single layer in (12-in./30-cm) Skillet (bread slices may go up the sides of the Skillet); cook over medium-high heat 3–5 minutes or until golden brown, turning once. Remove bread from Skillet; cut slices diagonally in half for a total of 20 triangles. Set aside.

Meanwhile, cut 1/4 cup (50 mL) of the tomatoes into quarters; set aside for garnish. Place half of the remaining tomatoes into Manual Food Processor; cover and pump handle until finely processed. Pour processed tomatoes into Large Micro-Cooker®. Repeat with remaining tomatoes. Add broth to Micro-Cooker®. Microwave, covered, on HIGH 4–6 minutes or until hot.

Finely chop onion using Food Chopper. Add oil, onion and garlic pressed with to Skillet; cook over medium-high heat 2–3 minutes or until onion is translucent, stirring frequently. Carefully add tomato mixture, pasta, cream, salt and black pepper. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook 6–8 minutes or until pasta is still slightly firm, stirring occasionally.

Remove Skillet from heat; add half of the cheese and stir until cheese is completely melted. Top with remaining cheese. Cover and let stand 3–4 minutes or until cheese is melted. Arrange bread in an overlapping circular pattern around edge of Skillet. Garnish with reserved tomatoes and parsley, if desired.

Kristi stays busy with her writing, shoe designing and Pampered Chef business so she knows how precious time can be; she also knows how important eating healthy and showing your children life beyond fast food can be. The Pampered Chefs Happy Families segment is designed with busy lives in mind. The recipes presented will be fast, easy and affordable to everyone. The tools you need to complete these meals can be found on her personal website.

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