Soup is a super easy way to get copious bites onto your party buffet. We paired tomato soup with grilled cheese to tie into a Halloween theme of black and orange hues, The bright orange tones of the soup and dark rye bread create a nice, spooky presence, much like the other recipes from our Halloween party plan.  Check the link to see the entire repertoire.

Serve this soup warm or cold. Guajillo pepper, avocado and cilantro add to the flavor mix.

MAKES 40 SHOOTERS & MINI GRILLED CHEESE BITES

ROAST THE TOMATOES… PREHEAT OVEN 375°F

2 LB heirloom tomatoes, quartered
EV olive oil
s + p
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Spread tomatoes onto a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Season with s + p. Roast on the middle shelf for about 1 hour, till the skins are blistered and the tomatoes have shrunk in size.

PREPARE THE CHILE

1 whole dried guajillo chile
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Simmer for 10 min to soften. Let sit in water for 10 min more.

START THE SOUP

3 TB EV olive oil
1 med onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 guajillo chile, soaked
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
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Heat oil in a Dutch oven over med heat. Add onion and sauté for 5 min. Stir in the garlic and pepper, sauté another 4 min. Incorporate crushed tomatoes, simmer covered for 10 min.

FINISH THE SOUP

2 CUPS organic chicken broth
roasted tomatoes
1/4 CUP cilantro, minced
1/4 CUP turbinado sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
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Add ingredients to the pot, bring to a boil, then continue to simmer covered, about 30 min, stirring occasionally. Remove guajillo chile. Let soup cool slightly, then transfer to a blender in batches. Blend until smooth.

MAKE THE GRILLED CHEESE

1 stick butter, room temperature
10 slices rye bread
1 LB extra sharp cheddar cheese, room temperature
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Toast the bread, then butter one side of each slice of bread. Into a heated skillet, place bread buttered side down, top with cheddar, and 2nd slice of bread with butter on the outside. Press together. Heat for 4 to 5 min, flip and heat another 5 min. Move to a cutting board and let cool slightly, cut in half, then each half on the diagonal, into 4 triangles.

TO SERVE

1 avocado, cut into small cubes, for garnish
sprigs of cilantro, for garnish
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Pour soup into shooter glasses about 3/4 of the way, top with a cube of avocado and sprig of cilantro. Insert grilled cheese triangle into the top at an angle.

See more recipes and ideas for a Halloween or Day of the Dead celebration in 19 Spooky Harvest