Roasted Red Pepper Soup

Needless to say we all like soup in this house. Nothing beats a warm bowl on a cold day. Well, maybe that warm bowl with some of that fresh bread I’ve finally been able to be baking…

Red peppers, to me, are one of those amazing vegetables. You see, I absolutely, without a doubt hate it’s cousin the green pepper, but a red one, especially a freshly roasted one? I will put in and on just about everything.

Roasting the peppers take about as long as the soup, so it’s a quick and delicious lunch…. So quick, I was very glad to have photographed it first, since the pot did not last.

ROASTED RED PEPPER SOUP

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
3 Shallots, finely chopped
1 Clove Garlic, minced
3 Red Bell Peppers, roasted*, peeled and chopped
1 Potato, peeled and diced
2 Carrots, peeled and chopped
1 Stalk Celery
2 Tomatoes, Peeled and chopped, 1 – 8oz can
4 Cups Vegetable Broth
1/2 teaspoon Crushed Dried Thyme
1/4 teaspoon Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper, to taste

* To roast the peppers, lay them directly over an open flame of a gas cooktop, BBQ or under the broiler, turning often to evenly blacken – but not scorch. Cool in a large enough bowl to hold them, tightly covered with plastic wrap. Once cool enough to handle, peel and rub away the loose, blackened skin.

Peel and dice the shallots, carrots and potato.
Heat the oil in a large stockpot and add the diced vegetables and garlic to sweat and soften.
Seed and slice the peeled, roasted peppers.
Add the peppers and celery stalk along with the broth to the vegetables.
Bring to a simmer and cook until potatoes and carrots are soft.
Add thyme, salt and pepper.
Remove celery stalk and discard.
Add the chopped tomatoes and heat through.
Purée with a hand immersion blender until smooth.
Adjust seasoning, if necessary.

Serve with toasted fresh bread or arugula pesto or garlic seasoned croutons.