ROASTED ROOT VEGETABLE SOUP WITH GRILLED CHEESE CROUTONS

Roasted Root Vegetable Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Time 2h35m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

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3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed into 2-inch chunks
2 large carrots, peeled and cut into large chunks
2 parsnips, peeled and cut into large chunks
1 medium celery root, peeled and cut into chunks
Extra-virgin olive oil, for liberal drizzling
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Freshly grated nutmeg 1 bulb garlic*
4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
Dash honey
Dash hot sauce
4 slices thick-cut good-quality white bread
4 slices deli-cut on thicker-side sharp yellow Cheddar

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
In a roasting pan, coat the potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and celery root in just enough extra-virgin olive oil to coat, then season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Roast the vegetables until tender and caramelized at edges, about 40 to 45 minutes.
Puree the vegetables in batches with the stock and transfer to a soup pot. Season the soup with honey and hot sauce, to taste. Cool and store for make-ahead meal.
To reheat: Reheat over medium heat.
For the cheese sandwiches: Preheat the oven. On the night you want to serve the soup, arrange a cooling rack over a baking sheet and assemble 2 cheese sandwiches using 2 bread slices and 2 slices cheese per sandwich. Cube each sandwich into 9 mini-sandwiches and separate in a baking sheet providing space between each mini-sandwich. Coat the sides and tops of each sandwich with cooking spray. Bake in the hot oven until golden and cheese melts. Float a few sandwich-croutons in each bowl of the soup bowls.