Homemade Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons

So I was watching the Chew this past week when Carla was making this soup that looked so amazing!! I told my mom she had to make it sometime and when I got home from work she was starting to make it :) I was so excited! So here is the recipe :)

Ingredients:
2 1/2 pounds ripe tomatoes (red or yellow) chopped
1 1/2 cup Yellow onion (chopped)
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves
6 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoon thyme (fresh)
1 yellow pepper (chopped)
1 rib celery (chopped)
Salt and Pepper
2-4 basil leaves

Directions:

1. In a medium pot, add the olive oil and sweat the onions, celery, and peppers. When the onions are soft and translucent, add the tomatoes, garlic and thyme, then simmer until the tomatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.
2. Add the stock and simmer for about 20-30 minutes.
3. working in small batches, puree soup in a blender with basil until silky smooth.
4. Add cream and stir until heated through. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
5. For the grilled cheese croutons - place 2 slices of cheese inbetween 2 slices of white bread. Heat a nonsitck skillet over medium heat and add a dab of butter. Toast the grilled cheese sandwiches on both sides until golden brown and the cheese is melted. Squish the bread flat while it is toasting so it gets crunchier and flatter.
6. Remove sandwiches from pan and slice into 1 inch croutons.
7. Ladle soup into bowl and top with a couple of grilled cheese croutons.