Not Grilled Cheese: The 2-Ingredient Topping Bobby Flay Pairs With Tomato Soup

Flavorful, balanced, and wildly simple, tomato soup is one of the ultimate comfort foods. Part of its appeal is that so many things that pair well with it. One classic option is to serve grilled cheese with tomato soup. (In fact, "Barefood Contessa" Ina Garten chops the sandwich into crouton-sized pieces for that purpose.) However, Bobby Flay reaches for a different option when he wants to change things up, and only two ingredients are required to make it: garlic and olive oil.

The celebrity chef likes to use garlic chips with his oven roasted tomato and garlic soup recipe, which he shared with the Food Network. Garlic chips add a wonderful, crunchy texture to soup without becoming soggy, like croutons. They're not very pungent, as the cooking process transforms the flavor into one that's nutty and slightly sweet and they shrivel up a lot in the pan. The taste compliments the roasted garlic in Flay's soup and it can cut through the tart tomatoes in any other roasted tomato soup recipe too.

To make the chips, Bobby Flay slices some garlic cloves very thinly. Then he toasts it in a pan of olive oil over medium heat. Garlic chips cook very quickly and you want to be careful not to burn them. The process only takes about two to three minutes. They're ready when the color turns a light golden brown and they start to curl at the sides. When that starts to happen, take the slices out of the oil and place them on paper towels to drain. Sprinkle with some salt and then place gently on top of your soup.

You can also make garlic chips in the air fryer by coating them with the oil in a bowl and then cooking for a few minutes. Even the microwave works — just blast the oil-coated slivers for about 30 seconds at a time. Garlic chips taste great on salads too as well as rice and noodle dishes. Try them on a grain salad or bowl of roasted garlic broccoli. Flay even likes to add to roasted shrimp.

If you're looking for more soup topping options, a little basil pesto goes a long way and garlic oil is another great option. Here is the secret to making the most flavorful one. For that same crunch, try toasted seeds. The best part of tomato soup is how versatile it is, especially when you're using a good recipe.