Chilled Red Bell Pepper And Habanero Soup Recipes

CHILLED RED BELL PEPPER AND HABANERO SOUP

Steps:

• Roast bell peppers on racks of gas burners over high heat (or on a broiler pan about 2 inches from broiler), turning with tongs, until skins are blackened, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let stand 20 minutes. Peel, then halve lengthwise, discarding stems and seeds.
• Cut a shallow X in bottom of each tomato, then blanch tomatoes in simmering water 20 seconds and transfer to an ice bath. Peel and coarsely chop, reserving juices.
• Cook onion, garlic, chiles, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in 2 tablespoons oil in a 3- to 4-quart heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened and pale golden, about 8 minutes. Add tomatoes with juices, bell peppers, broth, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and simmer, covered, until peppers are tender, about 5 minutes.
• Purée soup in 2 or 3 batches in a blender (use caution when blending hot liquids), drizzling remaining 1/4 cup oil into first batch with motor running. Quick-chill soup in a metal bowl set in an ice bath, stirring often, 10 to 15 minutes. Season with salt.

CHILLED ROASTED RED PEPPER SOUP WITH AVOCADO-CHILE SALSA

Steps:

• To make the soup, heat the oil in a large saucepan over high heat until very hot. Add the onion and garlic and saute for about 2 minutes. Add the cumin and saute for 2 minutes longer. Add the Marsala and reduce until about 1/2 cup remains, about 4 minutes. Add the peppers and stock, decrease the heat to medium, and simmer for about 20 minutes. Add the cilantro and season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
• Carefully puree the soup in a blender. Transfer the soup to a large bowl, cover, and refrigerate until well chilled, about 2 hours. (If the soup is too thick after chilling, thin it down with a bit more stock.)
• Meanwhile, to prepare the salsa, combine the onion, garlic, chiles, and avocados in a bowl, and mix well. Add the lime juice, mix well, and season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until you are ready to serve.
• To serve, ladle the soup into bowls, and garnish with the salsa, creme fraiche, and a cilantro sprig.

CHILLED RED PEPPER AND BEET SOUP WITH YOGURT AND CARAWAY SEEDS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, ginger, and caraway seeds. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft, about 7 minutes. Stir in bell peppers and beet, and cook until peppers begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add stock and 3 cups water; bring to a boil. Stir in salt; season with pepper. Reduce heat; simmer, partially covered, until peppers and beet are tender, about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in dill, cilantro, and lemon juice. Let cool completely. Refrigerate, covered, until cold, about 1 1/2 hours. Divide soup among 4 bowls; top each with 1 tablespoon yogurt. Garnish with dill sprigs.

ROASTED RED BELL PEPPER SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to broil.
• Place the bell peppers on a baking sheet and broil on the top rack of the oven, using tongs to turn them as each side blackens. Place the blackened peppers in a paper bag, close tightly and allow them to cool for 20 to 30 minutes. Then peel the skin off the peppers and discard the stem and all the seeds. Chop the peppers and set aside.
• In a large pot over medium heat, saute the onion and garlic in the oil for 5 minutes, or until onion is translucent. Now add the chopped, roasted red bell peppers and saute for 2 to 3 more minutes.
• Next, add the chicken broth and the beans, stirring well. Using a blender, puree the soup in small batches and return to the pot over low heat for 5 minutes.

CHILLED RED & YELLOW PEPPER SOUP WITH AVOCADO SALSA

Steps:

• For the soup: In a medium nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat; add onion and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add broth, bring to a boil, and simmer for 3 minutes; transfer to a medium bowl to cool.
• Place half of the cooled broth mixture in a blender (make sure to get an equal amount of liquid and onions); add yellow peppers and 1⁄2 cup of the yogurt; purée until smooth.
• Transfer yellow pepper purée to a covered container and refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes.
• Rinse blender and transfer remaining broth mixture to it. Add red peppers and remaining 1⁄2 cup yogurt; purée until smooth.
• Transfer red pepper purée to another covered container and refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes.
• For the salsa: While soups are chilling, in a small bowl combine avocado, cilantro, and lime juice.
• To serve the soup, simultaneously ladle a generous 1⁄2 cup of the yellow pepper soup and a generous 1⁄2 cup of the red pepper soup into each of 4 shallow bowls, allowing soups to meet in center. Garnish each with salsa and serve.