Bread and Cheese Soup

° Serves 4 (makes 6 cups)

This is a family favorite. If you have homemade chicken stock or canned broth, a little leftover bread, and some good Gruyère on hand, it can be prepared in a matter of minutes.

I toast the bread and shred the cheese ahead, then arrange them in the soup bowls while I heat the stock. Pour the boiling stock over the toast and cheese, and the soup is ready!

• 6 cups Basic Chicken Stock or canned chicken broth
• Salt to taste
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 4 slices bread (4 ounces), toasted
• 4 ounces Gruyère cheese, shredded (1 cup)

Bring the chicken stock to a strong boil in a medium saucepan, then add the salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, break the toast into pieces and place the equivalent of 1 slice in each of four soup bowls. Divide the cheese among the bowls.

Pour the boiling stock on top of the toast and cheese and serve immediately.

With three basic items in your larder—chicken stock, bread, and cheese—you can make this delicious soup in a few minutes.