Zupas at Home

Russ and I really LOVE Zupas tomato soup and sandwiches. They're ALMOST as good as Panera Bread :) Anyway. We decided to go ahead and try to make our own Zupas/Panera Bread soup and sandwiches. And I have to say, they turned out pretty amazing. We found a soup recipe online, but the sandwich was pretty much our own creation! So, here is our delicious dinner :).
p.s. We have been CRAVING these sandwiches since we made them. So uh... Consider this a warning. :)

 Zupas Tomato Soup

Ingredients:
source:  family cook book project 

• 1 tsp. olive oil
• 1/4 c. apple juice
• 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 c. diced red bell pepper
• 4 c. chopped fresh or canned tomatoes (I used 1 qt. home canned tomatoes)
• 1 c. vegetable stock (I used chicken broth)
• 1/3 c. orzo pasta
• 1/4 c. chopped fresh basil
• 1 pint heavy cream
• 1/4 c. butter

Directions:

1. In soup pot, heat oil and apple juice over medium heat.
2. Saute onion, garlic and pepper 8-10 mins, stirring frequently, until onion is soft but not brown. Add small amounts of water if mixture becomes too dry.
3. Remove from heat. Add tomatoes and broth. Stir. Puree in blender and return to pot.
4. Add pasta and cook 10 mins, stirring often.
5. Add butter and cream. Stir in. Simmer 15 min. DO NOT BOIL. 
6. Add basil and serve immediately.

 Turkey, Spinach, Artichoke Panini

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf focaccia bread, sliced (or other sturdy sandwich bread)
• several slices of turkey
• spinach artichoke parmesan spread
• sliced muenster cheese
• 1 small onion, diced 
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• 1 tomato sliced
• pinch salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat panini grill or sandwich maker to medium temperature. In a medium sauce pan, sauté diced onion in olive oil until transparent. Add balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper to taste.
2. Layer the turkey and muenster cheese onto the bottom halves of the bread, and spread spinach artichoke mix over turkey. Layer sautéed onions tomato slices. Close face of panini with the top halves of bread.
3. Add panini to preheated grill and press lightly. Grill 5 minutes on medium or until the cheese begins to melt and there are grill marks on the bread.