Double Aix

I’m on my own this week; my heathen is on a business trip. That means I have to either a) cook normally, and eat the same thing for days (like roast chicken); or b) make single person meals. As anyone who has cooked for one can attest—it’s not always that easy to eat healthfully. To compound things, I’ve a cold. That means all I want is to have comforting classics made magically, that I didn’t have to cook or work hard at. Normally that means Matzo ball, Udon, Chicken Noodle, or Miso soups. For my Mom, it would mean tomato soup. From the can. Made only with water. Um yeah, I’m wanting more than that.

Aix-en- Provence duo

My Mom went to Aix recently (yes, I’m jealous). It is with her in mind that I made this meal—perfect for sicky me or anyone who wants a yummy soup/sammich combo. First, take

1 can of your favorite condensed tomato soup (it doesn’t really matter what brand)

1 can of your favorite chicken broth

1 tomato

Dump the soup and half the can of broth into a saucepan, over medium-low heat. Chop the tomato and toss it in. While this is working on the stove, rummage through your really messy spice cabinet (that you wish you could re-organize) and find

Saffron (a hefty pinch)

Basil (1/2- 1 tsp, depending on how much you like basil)

Oregano (1/4-1/2 tsp) OPTIONAL

Black Pepper and kosher salt (to taste)

Toss it all in the pot, stir, and turn your attention to your sandwich. Locate

Camembert or Brie

Dijon (or you favorite Deli style mustard)

Tomato

Your favorite deli style thin-cut turkey (or if you like ham, get a mandrange or Bayonne)

Sourdough bread

Stir the soup, and taste. Correct seasonings as necessary. Take the sliced sourdough and spread the mustard on one side (both if you’re really a mustard fan). Add a wad of your turkey. On the other bread slice, place a couple slices of cheese and 2-3 sliced of thinly cut tomato. In a skillet, warm over medium-high heat

½ tsp (or slightly less) olive oil

Place the cheese covered slice on the olive oil and turn it in the pan once to thoroughly coat the bottom of the slice.  Stir the soup, and find a plate and bowl. When the cheese looks slightly melty, add the turkey covered slice.  Go find a clean spoon in the dishwasher, since there’s none in the drawer. Sigh as you realize that you need to do some dishes, even if all you want to do is curl into a ball with a blanket, some tea, and the remote control. Using a spatula, or spoon, or whatever, lift the sandwich and pour in another

½ tsp olive oil

Flip the sandwich so that the turkey covered slice is on the bottom, and cook another 1-2 minutes (depending on heat), until both sides are lovely, grilled, brown yumminess. Stir the soup again, and cut the heat. Find your tray (you’re eating this on the couch with that tea and remote, right?) Pour the soup into a bowl, pull apart the grilled sandwich and tuck in some lettuce or cabbage leaf (to pretend you’re getting veggies), plate, and enjoy.

This dish has 3 Weight Watchers points for the soup, and 12 for the sandwich. It’s a little high for a meal, but it includes your healthy fat. And you’re sick, so you’re not eating much else anyway.