CHILLED RED PEPPER & HABANERO SOUP

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  • 6

Ingredients

  • 6 SERVINGS
  • Don't be alarmed by the number of chiles called for-habaneros heat is complex and floral and partners perfectly w/e sweetness of the red peppers.
  • 4 medium red bell peppers
  • 2 lb tomatoes
  • 1 sweet onion (1/2 lb), chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 4 to 6 fresh habanero chiles, finely chopped (2 to 3 Tbsp), stems and seeds discarded
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 3/4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • ACCOMPANIMENT: crackers, flatbread, or bread

Preparation

Step 1

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.

Peel and coarsely chop tomatoes, reserving juices.

Cook onion, garlic, chiles, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper in 2 Tbsp oil in a 3- to 4-qt 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 tsp salt and simmer, covered, until peppers are tender, about 5 minutes.

Puree soup in 2 or 3 batches in a blender, 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.

COOKS NOTE:

Soup can be made 3 days ahead and chilled.