Corn And Red Bell Pepper Soups With Cilantro Creme Fraiche Recipes

CORN SOUP WITH RED PEPPER SWIRL

Steps:

• Place bell pepper over an open flame or under broiler and roast, turning frequently with tongs, until blackened and blistered all over, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Cut in half vertically. With a paring knife, remove seeds from each half, then turn over and scrape away the blackened skin. Do not rinse; a little remaining char is fine.
• Transfer roasted pepper to a blender or food processor and add Fresno chiles, pimentón, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Blend to a smooth thick purée. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a heavy-bottomed soup pot over medium-high heat. Add onions and corn kernels. Season well with salt and pepper and reduce heat to medium. Cooking, stirring, until onions are softened and beginning to color, 7 to 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
• Add 3 cups water or broth and salt to taste. Simmer for 15 minutes, until corn is well cooked. Transfer to a blender and whiz to a smooth purée. Thin with water or broth to the consistency of heavy cream.
• Pass soup through a fine mesh strainer, pressing with the back of a large spoon or ladle to extract every drop of liquid. (This step is important to guarantee a velvety texture.) Discard any fibrous remains. Taste and adjust seasoning.
• To serve, reheat and ladle into shallow soup bowls. Swirl about 2 tablespoons pepper purée into the center of each bowl. Pass lime wedges at the table.

CREAM OF ROASTED RED BELL PEPPER SOUP WITH ROASTED SWEET CORN AND CILANTRO- LIME SOUR CREAM

Steps:

• Slice the peppers in half lengthwise; remove stem, seeds and membrane. Place under the broiler skin side up until the skin turns black and blisters. Remove and immediately place in a small paper bag or plastic container with a tight lid. Place in the freezer for 10 minutes; this will loosen the roasted skin. Remove peppers and rub off the black skin with your fingers. Chop skinned peppers and set aside.
• Saute the butter, onions, and garlic until soft in a heavy bottomed soup pot on medium-low heat. Add the reserved red peppers, tomato paste, and chicken stock. Bring to a low boil, reduce the heat, and then simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream, cilantro, salt, and pepper. Stir in the cornstarch mixed with a little cold water to thicken. Simmer 5 minutes. *Let the soup cool slightly, and then blend in batches in a blender, or use an immersion blender to puree. Sprinkle the roasted corn over the soup before serving and top with a dollop of Cilantro Lime Sour Cream.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk all ingredients vigorously until light and creamy.

CREAMY CORN SOUP WITH RED BELL PEPPER

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper, onion and garlic; sauté until onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes with juices to pot; cook 2 minutes. Combine 2 cups water and chipotle chilies in blender and puree. Mix puree and cream-style corn into vegetables in pot. Bring soup to boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add frozen corn, cream and oregano; simmer 5 minutes. Garnish with cilantro, if desired.
• *Chipotle chilies canned in a spicy tomato sauce, sometimes called adobo, are available at Latin American markets, specialty foods stores and some supermarkets.

CORN AND RED BELL PEPPER SOUPS WITH CILANTRO CREME FRAICHE

Steps:

• For Corn Soup:.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Roast garlic until tender, about 5 minutes; transfer to medium saucepan.
• Add next 6 ingredients and bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes to blend flavors.
• Transfer to blender and puree thoroughly.
• Strain through fine sieve into saucepan.
• Add cream and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes.
• Season to taste with salt.
• (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cool completely, cover and refrigerate.).
• For Red bell pepper Soup:.
• Combine all ingredients except cream and salt in medium saucepan and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes to blend flavors.
• Transfer to blender and puree thoroughly.
• Strain through fine sieve into saucepan.
• Add cream and simmer until thickened,about 5 minutes; season to taste with salt.
• (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cool,cover and refrigerate.).
• For Cilantro Creme Fraiche:.
• Bring water to boil in saucepan; add spinach and boil 1 minute.
• Drain; plunge spinach into ice water and let stand 1 minute; drain and squeeze dry.
• Transfer spinach to blender, add cilantro and milk and puree thoroughly.
• Strain mixture through fine sieve into bowl; whisk in creme fraiche.
• Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• (Can be prepared 1 day ahead.).
• To serve;.
• Gently reheat both soups. Simultaneously ladle some each into each bowl.
• Drizzle with creme fraiche and serve immediately.

FIRE ROASTED RED PEPPER SOUP WITH CILANTRO CREAM AND GRILLED CAJUN SHELLFISH

Steps:

• For the soup: Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to a saute pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the olive oil, garlic and onion and saute until translucent.
• Roast the peppers on an open flame until charred; place in plastic bag to sweat; remove skin and seeds. Puree the peppers and add to onions and garlic. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken base, and water; bring to a simmer. Simmer for 20 minutes.
• Add basil, thyme, salt, pepper, and Cajun spice, to taste. Puree the mixture through a food mill and serve hot.
• For the cilantro cream: Place all ingredients in a food processor and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Place mixture in piping bag or plastic dispensing bottle. Pipe a line on Fire Roasted Red Pepper Soup and run a toothpick through to create a design.
• For the Lime Grilled Cajun Seafood: Combine all ingredients except for seafood, mix well. Add seafood and marinate for 10 minutes prior to cooking. Cook seafood until done on grill or under broiler. Serve hot as a topping for Fire Roasted Red Pepper Soup or as a topping for pasta, salads, or as an appetizer. Some of the marinade may be served as a dipping sauce.
• For the Corn Hash: Grill or roast corn until tender. Remove corn from cob with French knife. Saute onion in olive oil and add remaining ingredients. Serve as a topping for Fire Roasted Red Pepper Soup.

CREAMY CORN SOUP WITH RED BELL PEPPER

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper, onion and garlic; sauté until onion is tender, about 5 minutes.
• Add tomatoes with juices to pot; cook 2 minutes.
• Combine 2 cups water and chipotle chilies in blender and puree. Mix puree and cream-style corn into vegetables in pot. Bring soup to boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add frozen corn, cream and oregano; simmer 5 minutes. Garnish with cilantro, if desired.

CORN BISQUE WITH RED BELL PEPPER AND ROSEMARY

Steps:

• Melt 3 tablespoons butter in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add onions, carrot and celery and sauté 3 minutes. Add 5 1/2 cups corn, rosemary and cayenne and sauté 2 minutes. Add stock and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered until vegetables are tender and liquid is slightly reduced, about 30 minutes.
• Working in batches, purée soup in blender. Return soup to pot. Mix in half and half and remaining 2 cups corn. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper and sauté until almost tender, about 5 minutes. Stir bell pepper into soup. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Bring soup to simmer. Ladle into bowls and serve.