Saturday, July 30, 2011

Red Pepper Summer Soup

They're chilling with Jamie Oliver over at I Heart Cooking Clubs and what better way to chill than with a cold soup. Have to say, we're kind of iffy with cold soup so I served it room temperature. We loved it. Definitely a keeper, and easy as can be. Didn't have to use the oven and heat up the kitchen, on top of the stove worked out really well. Love this recipe. Very quick and very easy. Had more than a few grape tomatoes that were a bit past their prime as far as serving in a salad but cooked down they added tremendous flavor. Tried it with a little drizzle of cream on mine and it was a very nice addition, not needed but nice. I used three red peppers and one yellow. And added some smoked paprika. I also used sherry vinegar instead of red wine vinegar and it gave it a nice flavor. So I didn't follow exactly, but it was a perfect soup for these very warm days.

So we're ended up lukewarm with Jamie Oliver this week instead of chilling, but hot, cold or warm, this is a really fantastic soup.




Red Pepper Summer Soup
Source: original recipe found in Jamie's America by Jamie Oliver
Adapted by There's Always Thyme to Cook
Printable Recipe

4 red bell peppers, seeded and roughly chopped
15-20 grape tomatoes (optional)
1 large onion, peeled and roughly chopped
1 quart chicken stock
3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 small red chile, chopped (or jalapeno)
olive oil, for the pan and for drizzling
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
small bunch of fresh basil leaves
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar (I used a sherry wine vinegar)
1/4 cucumber (seedless)
cayenne pepper or smoked paprika (if you like)
a touch of cream (optional)

Add a couple of dashes of olive oil to a large saucepan. On medium heat, gently fry the red peppers, onion, garlic and chile with the lid on for about 20 minutes. Stir every five minutes or so.

Add the chicken stock, bring to the boil then simmer the soup gently on medium heat with the lid on for about more 10-15 minutes, until the vegetables are soft.

Use an immersion blender to puree or you can very carefully pour the soup (it will be hot) into a blender (in 2 or 3 batches) and blend at high speed till smooth and silky. Add the vinegar and basil and whiz it again. Then strain through a strainer, if you like, and taste for seasoning.  Let it cool in the frig. Serve this soup cold with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, or even a drizzle of cream. Garnish with the diced cucumbers and celery, a little cayenne or smoked paprika.




Joining
 I Heart Cooking Clubs to Chill with Jamie Oliver!

IHCCJamieOliver



also joining 

Beth at Beth Fish Reads for her fun Weekend Cooking Party. Every weekend. It's open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share! Go on over and see some fun posts.
 
AND



Souper Sundays (soups, salads and sandwiches) @ Kahakai Kitchen

with the


 
SouperSundays

For more mosaics, stop by the Little Red House for Mosaic Monday

65 comments:

  1. We quite like chilled soups, so I'll add this one to my collection. I like a drop of sherry in many soups, so can imagine that I'll try it with this one too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. this is beautiful and sound delicous!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am not the biggest fan of cold soups, even in the summer, but this sounds so good, I might have to reconsider.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sounds like a great summer soup! Think I'll nose around and see if I can join in this week:@)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Awesome bright color on the soup, very inviting...

    ReplyDelete
  6. I know what you mean about cold soups. I always thought, cold soup is an oxymoron. But then I tried gazpacho and was overwhelmed by it. I bet yours is super yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm not a big fan of chilled soup either, but I think I could handle this! Especially room temperature as you served it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm skeptical when it comes to cold soups but, if you put that dish in front of me, I wouldn't hesitate to eat it. The skepticism must be something in my head.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have never tried a chilled soup but this may be the year that changes It has been so hot and chilled soup sounds refreshing and good. This does sound easy enough to try.

    ReplyDelete
  10. That looks so good!!! Girl, you are surprising me all the time :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm not sure I could get my family to eat cold soup -- the only experience we've had with cold soups is a cold fruit soup that I made many years ago; my husband ate it, but not my daughter.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh my! This soup looks fabulous! I had most of the ingredients growing in my garden this past spring. Sadly, the drought and excessive has done it in.

    ReplyDelete
  13. yummy looking flavourful soup looks wonderful

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thats a yummy soup,luks delicious...

    ReplyDelete
  15. It took us awhile to enjoy chilled soups too. Now we have a few that we really enjoy, perhaps this soup will become one of our favorites too. It is such a good summer soup. It is also a great way to use all the delicious vegetables available in the summer.

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is truly a perfect summer soup!

    ReplyDelete
  17. We have nominated you for the 7 Links Project. Look at our blog xx.

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a perfect summer soup! Beautiful color!

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a gorgeous color and presentation. This would make such a refreshing start to a meal.

    ReplyDelete
  20. It's very pretty...and oh, so summery =) Lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a lovely soup. Believe it or not, I've never cooked from a Jamie Oliver recipe. I really have to rectify that!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wow, that's one beautiful soup, Carol. On these hot summer days a cool soup is a great answer to what to serve for dinner.

    ReplyDelete
  23. So pretty, Carol! It's so darned hot here it sounds especially delicious and refreshing to me. When would you add the grape tomatoes?

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thank you all for the nice comments!

    And thank you Manousina for thinking of me :)

    @ Susan, I threw the tomatoes in when I added the peppers and onions, all went in together! Gets whizzed up anyway so it didn't matter.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I enjoy cold soups. This one looks really good. Living here in Florida you would think that we would have more appreciation but, I have a hard time getting my friends to appreciate the beauty of a cold soup.

    Awesome. I am glad you posted this recipe. I will be sharing it with family and friends.

    Velva

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love that this one uses fresh veggies from the garden or farmers' market

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love spicy anything... I an not very adventurous with cold soups but I would give this one a try.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I bet the smoked paprika was fantastic with the peppers. Great color!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Fabulous--I have this one tagged to make some day. I love roasted red peppers. Thanks for sharing it with Souper Sundays too. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  30. It looks delicious. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Such a lovely looking and refreshing soup. It would be great on a hot day. V

    ReplyDelete
  32. Wonderful color and delicious looking summertime soup! It has got to be filled with lots of vitamins and all things good!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Looks delicious, sounds nutritious, and it's pretty. Perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  34. How did I miss this? Looks delicious. I do love red peppers ... sandwiches, too! :D :D

    ReplyDelete
  35. I will certainly be trying this soup!!! It looks soooo good! Thanx! Cathy

    ReplyDelete
  36. I'm sure this soup will taste good hot, as well as cold for all those that do not like cold soups. I have four large Costco red peppers in my frig..guess what I'll be making for dinner tomorrow night? :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. YUM!
    I believe I'll be making this soup this week!

    ReplyDelete
  38. I've been craving gazpacho lately, but this looks soooooo good! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  39. Your soup recipe (and photos) look yummy. Just what we need during these hot summer days.

    ReplyDelete
  40. I would prefer this soup lukewarm too, and looks so good. When I get some red peppers from the farmers market, I'll be making this!

    ReplyDelete
  41. On a hot day cool soup is the best and yours looks so yummy. Love all the colours.

    ReplyDelete
  42. I SO wish my family would eat cold soups! Maybe this one will get them hooked.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Mhhhhh....looks tasty! Thanks for sharing!
    Have a nice week,
    Markus

    ReplyDelete
  44. Fabulous, Carol. I love cold soups! I've never made anything like this....such super colors and flavors.

    ReplyDelete
  45. I am going to have to start making a separate book of your recipes alone!! Every time I wander over here there is another recipe that I have to try. This one is just perfect for the summer!

    ReplyDelete
  46. I've never tried a cold soup...I guess it's just that "soup should be hot" idea! This one sounds really appealing.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Carol. I love this soup. It's perfect for summer. I usually don't like cold soups but this one will beat the odds :)

    I hope you will have a great week ahead.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Look at the vibrant red, very summery soup!

    ReplyDelete
  49. This recipe looks delicious! I haven't watched Jamie Oliver is ages!


    Come for a visit when you have a moment The Gardening Life.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Very nice post...wish a recipe I would love to try! Happy Monday my friend! ♥

    ReplyDelete
  51. Carol, I had cold soup many times but never thought in making them...now you kind of changed my mind...the red pepper soup not only sounds but looks delicious, really nice for the warm weather.
    Hope you have a fantastic week ahead :-)

    ReplyDelete
  52. Thanks for special recipe! I very like red bell peppers, and this soup will be my main menu everyday!

    ReplyDelete
  53. What a great recipe! I LOVE red pepper soup - yours has lots of great flavor - really nice!
    Mary

    ReplyDelete
  54. A beautiful soup for sure, love the color of it and the fact that you splashed a touch of cream on yours. I would've done the same thing.

    ReplyDelete
  55. That sounds like a fabulous - and gorgeous soup. Sounds really flavorful and filling, yet not heavy. Delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  56. I almost always serve chilled soups at room temp, so I totally understand! I love the flavors in this...both creamy and boldly seasoned!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Thank you So Much for this recipe; love red pepper soup; printed it out and will be making it real soon. Love to find a great recipe that has be tried; great pictures
    Rita

    ReplyDelete
  58. Confession time....I have never eaten a cold soup or a lukewarm one for that matter. There I said it. My husband and I were just talking about gazpacho too and how it has absolutely everything in it that I love and yet I've been reluctant to try it. Go figure. Your soup looks absolutely beautiful and I think I might could do this one. We're having grown up grilled cheese sandwiches on Friday night and this would be a very nice addition. I will let you know how it works for us. :)

    ReplyDelete
  59. Lovely blog... and the food looks excellent!

    ReplyDelete
  60. Beautiful colour! A lovely summer soup, with all the best flavours of the season. Great pick!

    ReplyDelete
  61. What a beautiful soup that sounds absolutely amazing!!! I think I'd prefer mine at room temperature too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  62. Hi there, I found you through Stumble Upon and I just love this recipe! I am a food blogger myself, so it's great to "meet" more foodies!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment. They are fun to read and very much appreciated! Sorry for comment moderation, the spam has been overwhelming lately.

Back to top