(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

What the heck kind of weather is this? Snow and cold one day, then 60 degrees the next, and then back to cold and more snow. It's making me crazy. Ah Michigan! If you don't like the weather, wait a few minutes and it will be sure to change.

One thing that does not change is my favorite lunch. I liked it as a kid, and I still love tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Try these updated recipes.

Easy Tomato Soup

2 cans(14-1/2 ounce each) Italian style diced tomatoes with basil, oregano and garlic, undrained

¼ cup butter

½ cup finely chopped onion

2 garlic cloves, minced

6 tablespoons flour

1 carton (48 ounce) chicken broth

Grated Parmesan cheese (if desired)

In a blender, process the tomatoes with juices until pureed; set aside. In a large saucepan, heat butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender. Add garlic; cook one minute longer. Remove from heat; stir in flour until smooth. Cook for one minute. Gradually whisk in chicken broth. Add pureed tomatoes and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat a simmer for 20-25 minutes to allow the flavors to get aquainted. If desired, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve hot.

Grilled Cheese and Pepperoni Sandwich

Layer a slice of Italian bread with one slice of Provolone cheese, 4 slices of pepperoni and 3 onion rings. Top with another slice of bread. Spread outside of sandwich with 1 teaspoon of garlic spread. Toast in a skillet over medium heat for 3-04 minutes per side.

Cut on a diagonal and “dunk” in the hot tomato soup. (At least that's the way I ate it)

For the kids, if the provolone may now taste good to their taste buds. Make the grilled cheese the way you always do. You might try spreading the outside of the bread with Miracle Whip instead of butter before grilling, for a slightly different taste.

Ham and Swiss Cheese Melt

Cut one 10-1/2 ounce French Bread Baguette in half without slicing through completely.  On the bottom half, arrange eight slices Swiss Cheese, eight thin sandwich pickle slices and four slices of deli ham. Top with additional eight slices of swigs cheese and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika.  Close sandwich; cut crosswise into four pieces and place on a baking sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until cheese has melted.

Enjoy
The Old Guy

Tuna Salad Coney's

Image by MI SHPO via FlickrAbout 20 years ago, I helped compile and edit a cookbook for the Chamber of Commerce in Sturgis, Michigan as a fundraiser.  We called it "A Taste Of Sturgis". We asked community members to submit their favorite recipes.  We ended up with a cookbook that contained over 600 recipes and 320 pages. This recipe comes from that book.

1/4 pound American cheese, cut into small cubes
3 hard cooked eggs, chopped
1 (6 ounce) can tuna, drained
2 tablespoons green pepper, chopped
2 tablespoons onion, chopped
2 tablespoons stuffed green olives, chopped
2 tablespoons sweet pickle, chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
6 hot dog buns

In a medium size bowl, combine all ingredients, except buns, and stir to combine.
Fill hot dog rolls with tuna mixture.  Wrap individually in aluminum foil and place in oven at 250 degrees for 30 minutes and serve hot.

Enjoy
The Old guy

Parkway Hamburgers

Image via Wikipedia
Here is a favorite Burger recipoe of mine I found many years ago.

Parkway Hamburgers

1-1/2 pounds ground beef
2 teaspoons prepared mustard
1 dash hot sauce
2 teaspoons Heinz 57 steak sauce
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons horseradish
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons onion, minced
2 teaspoons Worchestershire sauce
3 tablespoons Chili sauce

Mix all ingredients and let stand, refrigerated, for 12 hours. Form into patties  Place in a skillet and brown.  Be sure to msoak up the bun in the cooking ":juice".