Souper: Red Bell Pepper Soup

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.

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Ingredients



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

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Method



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.

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Verdict



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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Technorati Tags: pepper, paprika, tomato, soup, food, recipe, food blog, photography, nikon d70s

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