BELL PEPPER AND TOMATO SOUP

Bell Pepper and Tomato Soup image

Provided by Food Network

Time 1h

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 cup chopped red onion
1 cup chopped and peeled potato
Pinch cayenne pepper
1 medium clove garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 1/2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
2 cups chopped red bell pepper
1 cup canned whole peeled plum tomatoes, crushed by hand
Chopped parsley and chopped and toasted almonds, for garnish

Steps:

Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the red onion and cook, stirring, until soft, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the potato, cayenne, garlic, bay leaf, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and cook, stirring, until the potatoes are well coated, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in the broth and bring to a simmer.
Add bell pepper and tomatoes, bring the mixture back to a simmer and cook until the potatoes and vegetables are tender, adjusting the heat as needed to maintain a simmer, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, discard the bay leaf and let cool at least 5 minutes. Carefully puree until smooth with a handheld immersion blender or in 2 to 3 batches in a blender (do not fill the blender more than halfway full).
Reheat the soup and adjust the consistency with water if needed. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot with a sprinkle of parsley and almonds and a drizzle of oil.