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1
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
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2
For the soup:
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3
Place the onions on a baking sheet and dress lightly with EVOO, and season liberally with the thyme and salt and pepper.
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4
Dress the garlic with EVOO, salt and pepper, and then wrap the garlic in foil and fold edges over to secure a pouch.
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5
Roast the onions until tender and golden, 30 minutes, turning once.
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6
Roast the garlic until very soft, 35 to 40 minutes.
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7
Char the peppers over an open flame on the stovetop or under a hot broiler (once the onions and garlic are removed).
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8
Place the charred peppers in a bowl, cover and cool to handle.
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9
Wipe away the pepper skins with a towel.
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10
Seed and coarsely chop.
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11
Cool the garlic to handle, and then squeeze the garlic cloves away from the skins and into a food processor bowl.
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12
In two batches, add the onions, garlic, peppers, stock and tomatoes.
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13
Puree until fairly smooth.
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14
Add the puree to a pot with the passata and season with the herbes de Provence and add the torn basil.
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15
Heat the soup through and simmer to thicken a little and combine flavors, about 20 minutes.
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16
Adjust the salt and pepper.
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17
Cool and refrigerate for a make-ahead meal.
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18
For the grilled cheese croutons:
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19
To serve, heat the soup over medium heat and preheat a griddle pan over medium heat.
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20
Butter all the bread on one side with the softened butter.
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21
Make the cheese sandwiches with the buttered sides facing out.
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22
Grill the sandwiches until golden and crisp on each side.
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23
Dice into bite-size squares.
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24
Serve the soup in shallow bowls and top each with a few grilled cheese croutons.