Ingredients

Pimento Cheese Bites:
1 cup grated soy cheddar cheese, or cheese of your choice
2 tablespoons vegan or light mayonnaise
2 tablespoons chopped green onion
1/4 cup diced pimentos, drained
1 tablespoon chopped green olives
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon hot red pepper sauce
6 slices spelt bread, whole wheat, or sliced sourdough bread
Canola cooking spray, olive oil or 1 tablespoon non-hydrogenated soy spread

Mix the cheese, mayonnaise, green onion, pimento, olives, salt, pepper and red pepper sauce in a small bowl. Divide equally among 3 slices of the bread and top with the remaining bread slices. Heat a 10- or 12-inch non-stick saute pan over medium heat.
Spray with the cooking spray. If you're not watching your fat grams, add a tablespoon of the non-hydrogenated soy spread to the pan. Cook the sandwiches on each side until browned and cheese has melted. Add more spray or soy spread as you go along. Cut into quarters and serve with Cream of Tomato Dip. Serves 6 as an appetizer.

Cream Of Tomato Dip:
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup diced onion
1 large shallot, minced
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes in juice, chopped (retain juice)
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 cup vegetable broth
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon fresh
2 tablespoons white rice flour
1 cup plain soy milk
1/4 cup smokily creamer
1 teaspoon sugar, optional

Directions

Heat olive oil over medium-low heat in a 4-quart soup pot. Add the onions and shallots, and saute until softened, and clear, about 8 minutes. Add the salt, tomatoes, tomato juice, tomato paste, broth, bay leaf, basil and thyme. Bring to a boil, lower to a simmer, and cook for 30 minutes. Mix the rice flour with the soy milk and the soy creamer. Whisk into the tomato mixture and simmer 5 minutes more. Remove the bay leaf. Puree the dip in 2 batches in a blender until smooth and creamy. At this point, taste the soup, if you think it needs to be sweeter, add the sugar, then season to taste with freshly ground pepper.