for drizzlingcrème fraîche or heavy cream (optional)
Instructions
Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This will prepare the cooking environment for roasting the peppers.
Carefully halve the red bell peppers, removing the seeds and stems. Place them cut-side down on a baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced apart. Roast in the oven for approximately 25 to 30 minutes, or until the skin is blistered and lightly charred.
While the peppers are roasting, warm the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once heated, add the finely chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes translucent and softened.
Introduce the minced garlic to the pot, stirring frequently for an additional minute. Be vigilant to prevent the garlic from burning, which may alter the flavor negatively.
Once the red peppers are roasted, take them out of the oven and allow them to cool slightly until you can handle them. The skin should peel off easily; discard it and chop the peppers into smaller pieces.
In the pot with the softened onions and garlic, add the chopped tomatoes, roasted red peppers, vegetable broth, dried basil, smoked paprika, and season with salt and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and allow it to cook for about 20 minutes, enabling all the flavors to meld beautifully.
After simmering, use an immersion blender to blend the soup to a smooth consistency. If you prefer, you can transfer the soup to a regular blender in batches, allowing the soup to cool slightly for safe blending.
Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed. For those who enjoy a richer, creamier texture, consider stirring in crème fraîche or heavy cream at this stage.
Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves. Drizzle extra crème fraîche on top if desired for an additional touch of elegance.
Notes
For a richer texture, add crème fraîche or heavy cream.
Keyword roasted red pepper, soup, tomato, vegetarian