Roasted Red Pepper Minestrone Recipes

ROASTED RED PEPPER AND TOMATO SOUP

Steps:

• Roast peppers: rub oil on peppers and put them under the broiler until blackened, turn to get all sides. Put into paper bag and seal. Let rest for 15 minutes, then peel will come right off and core and seeds will fall out. Chop peppers. Reserve one chopped pepper; set aside.
• Heat olive oil over moderate heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until soft but not brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato, bell peppers (except reserved), thyme, paprika, and sugar. Cook over medium-low heat until all the tomato juices have evaporated, about 25 minutes.
• Stir in chicken stock, salt and pepper, cayenne pepper, and hot sauce (if using). Bring to boiling, lower heat, and simmer, partially covered, for 25 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
• Strain soup, reserving broth. Place solids in food processor or blender, and process until fairly smooth. Add puree back into broth.
• Melt butter and stir in the flour, cook for 1 minute. Stirring slowly, add the broth/vegetable mixture. Add reserved chopped pepper and bring to boiling. Lower heat and simmer 10 minutes.
• Ladle into bowls and add 1 tablespoon of sour cream to each bowl. For a lighter soup, this is also delicious without the sour cream.

ROASTED RED BELL PEPPERS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450F degrees.
• Wash peppers and cut in half.
• Remove seeds and stems.
• Place upside down (skin side up) on a cookie sheet coated with olive oil spray.
• Bake for 10-15 minutes or so, until skin of pepper is seriously black.
• Make sure there are no sparks or actively burning ashes on the peppers and place peppers in a brown bag for about 10-15 minutes. This steams the peppers so the skins easily peel off. Rinsing peppers takes away all the roasted flavor, so don't let me catch you doing that.
• Let cool so you can touch them.
• Skin will peel off easily.
• Cut halves into strips, or however you need them to be cut.
• Now you know how to roast a red pepper!
• Good for: Chicken, cheese sauces, tomato sauces, topped on foccacia bread, or a million other things!
• You can also roast a pepper by placing it directly on the burner of a gas stove (NOT ELECTRIC!) turning with tongs every few minutes till skin is black. Continue with paper bag step.

ROASTED MINESTRONE SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°.
• Mix onion, carrots, celery, zucchini, garlic, oil, salt and pepper in a large rimmed baking sheet. Place on middle rack and roast for 30 minutes, stirring once or twice.
• While vegetables are roasting, bring a pot of water to boil and cook pasta for 9-11 minutes, or until almost done. Drain and set aside.
• Remove vegetables from the oven and stir in beans and tomatoes. In a small bow, mix tomato paste and wine, then pour mixture over vegetables and mix to coat all the vegetables. Roast another 8 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and transfer vegetables to a large soup pot. Add 1 cup broth and scrape up all the bits from bottom of pan then add then add this mixture and remaining broth to pot of vegetables. Simmer soup over moderately high heat for 15 minutes. Stir in reserved pasta; cook an additional 2-3 minutes until pasta is heated through. Add basil and taste for seasoning. Serve hot, with cheese on the the side.

FIRE-ROASTED TOMATO MINESTRONE

Steps:

• In a 5-qt. slow cooker, combine the first 9 ingredients. Add tomatoes and beans; pour in broth. Cook, covered, on low until vegetables are tender, 4-6 hours. , Stir in pasta; cook, covered, on low until pasta is tender, 30-40 minutes. Stir in spinach before serving. If desired, top with shredded Parmesan.

ROASTED RED PEPPER MAYONNAISE

Steps:

• Heat broiler. Place pepper under broiler, and roast until blackened on all sides. Remove, and let cool. Peel away skin and seeds, and discard. Pull pepper into 3 or 4 long pieces and set aside.
• In a small bowl, whisk together egg yolk, mustard, vinegar and a large pinch of salt. Beginning a drop at a time, whisk in oils. As they emulsify, add oils a little faster, in a slow steady stream. When mixture is thick, taste and adjust seasoning. It should be highly seasoned.
• Transfer the mixture to a blender or a food processor, add the pepper and puree. Taste, and adjust the seasoning before serving.