Souper: Red Bell Pepper Soup

Bell Pepper Soup (03) by MeetaK


I am still having trouble accepting the fact that we are heading into colder weather. Wasn't it just yesterday when I was sharing some lovely spring and summer shots with you all?

Today I actually picked up the first yellow maple leaf from the pavement! It's been raining, dull and cold all week and I have already taken out my boots, scarfs and warmer sweaters. On Saturday we went shopping for warmer clothes for Soeren.

Then earlier today some good friends who live in Switzerland invited us over to spend New Year's with them. Man! It's gone by too fast.

Another thing that had me thinking how fast the year has zoomed by, is the fact that Tami over at Running With Tweezers is already hosting the second annual Souper Challenge. Although the first Souper Challenge was in November 2006 it's still hard to believe that we're all thinking soup for her event so soon again.

I do love soups and am delighted to be a part of Tami's great event again. This is a wonderful tasting soup - well balanced, light, healthy and quick. The hint of maple syrup and cayenne pepper gives the soup a wonderful contrasting highlight. Served with fish wraps or cheese sandwiches this soup makes the perfect weeknight dinner.


Ingredients

Bell Pepper Soup (02) by MeetaK


4 red bell peppers - de-seeded and coarsely chopped
2 red onions - finely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon paprika powder
500 ml tomato juice
1 teaspoon maple syrup
Dash of cayenne pepper
Salt
Freshly cracked black pepper




Method

Bell Pepper Soup (01) by MeetaK


Heat the olive oil in a saucepan. Sauté the pepper and onions for 2-3 minutes, then sprinkle with paprika powder. Allow to cook for another 2-3 minutes.

Pour in the tomato juice and maple syrup. Add the dash of cayenne pepper, salt and pepper and simmer covered for 20 minutes.

With a puree machine puree the soup finely. If you find it too thick add some more tomato juice, however my recommendation is that this soup tastes best thick and creamy.

Serve on pre-warmed soup plates with a splodge of sour cream.



Verdict

Bell Pepper Soup (04) by MeetaK


This soup is comforting and warming. I find the flavors perfect for this time of year. The summery tomatoes and peppers with the sweetness of the maple syrup and sharpness of cayenne pepper harmonize perfectly with each other. Just like me, the soup still leans towards Summer in it's lightness but offers the full bodied flavor of all things Autumn.

More soups on WFLH:
Souper Challenge 2006: Pea Soup
Ginger Carrot Soup with Lemon Cream
Coco Mango Soup
Italian Vegetable Soup with Gnocchi
Spinach Soup with Coconut Milk




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26 comments:

  1. If only red peppers were even half as expensive as they are... I love them... but paying roughly 250 rupees a kilo pinches me.

    When I feel like a real home made treat, I'm going for this one!

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  2. The soup does look warm and comforting indeed...I can literally taste it.

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  3. love the presentation..there is something about bright color soups in glasses...makes me fall in love with them

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  4. Ooohh, I just picked some red peppers from the garden! This looks wonderful!

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  5. Meeta, perfect soup to warm up in cold autumn evenings

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  6. the soup looks warm and comforting meeta, gorgeous color too :)

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  7. A wonderful seasonal soup! Nice presentation! I love bell peppers...

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  8. It's cold in Illinois today too and I'm downright depressed. I don't know if I even got to wear all my summer things!

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  9. of all soups, this one's my fav. i just love the way it looks in the glass.

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  10. The maple syrup is so unusual with the red peppers -- I will definitely have to try this.

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  11. Yup, life is just whizzing by. Your pic is beautiful as usual.

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  12. Your soup looks lovely. Perfect for the upcoming cold weather. ;-)

    Paz

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  13. It´s really good in a cool day. Nice Photo!

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  14. The soup looks quite delicious and comforting...loved the pics:)

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  15. Its raining here..Can u send me a bowl of that :)??

    Love
    Priya

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  16. Meeta, this soup looks absolutely fabulous! I know what I'm going to do with the red peppers I'm getting from the farmer's market!

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  17. Lovely soup and great pics as ever Meeta.

    I know you're a Summer girl at heart but what's scary is - with the speed that life is flying by, it will be next Summer before you know it...

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  18. hi, saw your soup at Runningwithtweezers roundup! beautiful creation, and great entry:)

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  19. Thanks everyone for your thoughts and feedback. Really appreciate it. This soup can be made also with green or yellow bell peppers - however I presume the green ones would give a slightly stronger taste then the yellow or red variety.

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  20. Me too, it feels so cold, even though last winter we had till -35C, but the summer was crazy hot too

    I love the color of your soup

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  21. This looks delicious! I'll have to make it this fall. I'm sad summer is over too. :(

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  22. Red bell pepper soup has been one of my favorite fall soups since I first tasted it about 6 or 7 years ago. Yours looks beautiful!

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  23. The colors really makes it attractive - but trust me the taste is so soothing and wonderful. Hope you all enjoy it!

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  24. Just found your blog while googling for bell pepper recipes (I just bought a bag full at a bargain price). This soup sounds wonderful. Thanks for the suggestion; I'll be back to explore your site again.

    Blather From Brooklyn

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Thank you for visiting What's For Lunch, Honey? and taking time to browse through my recipes, listen to my ramblings and enjoy my photographs. I appreciate all your comments, feedback and input. I will answer your questions to my best knowledge and respond to your comments as soon as possible.

In the meantime I hope you enjoy your stay here and that I was able to make this an experience for your senses.

Hugs
Meeta