Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Red Pepper Soup with Ginger and Fennel



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...My eyes have always been bigger than my stomach. As a child I'd serve myself more food that could possibly be eaten and when visiting the library withdrew more books than could reasonably be read. Moderation was not a trait I treasured or even tried to emulate. I thought it came with naturally with age, much like wrinkles or wisdom. Obviously, it doesn't and while I've earned wrinkles aplenty and gained a bit of wisdom in the process, I still go off on tangents. I've been able to channel food from the plate to my blog and devoted a rather large portion of what I read to assuring that plate is never empty or my blog bereft of words, but every so often something triggers a tangent that simply must run its course. I hold Marcella Hazan and Madhur Jaffrey completely responsible for my latest derailment. I needed just one recipe from each of them to reach a goal I'd set for myself, but research into their lives loosed the hounds of hell and I found myself testing far more recipes than I needed. I have a couple that I'd like to share with you this week. The first is a recipe for a soup from Madhur Jaffrey. I made it again tonight and my socks are still going up and down. I think you know me to be a truth teller, so, please believe me when I tell you this is ambrosia, pure and simple. The soup is really easy to make and if you like strongly flavored food I think you'll love it. You really must try this. The predominant flavor is that of red bell pepper, but a hint of ginger and cayenne warm it slightly and make it a perfect light summer soup. You can have this molten treasure on the table in less than an hour, and it can be made ahead of time. It would be a perfect first course for a more formal meal. Please, please, please give this one a try. You won't regret it. Here's the recipe.

Red Pepper Soup with Ginger and Fennel...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Madhur Jaffrey

Ingredients:

2 pounds sweet red bell peppers
4 tablespoons olive or canola oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium potato (about 4 ounces), peeled and chopped
One 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
1/2 teaspoon whole fennel seeds
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cumin seeds
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
5-5 1/2 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock
1 teaspoon salt
5-6 tablespoons heavy cream

Directions:

Chop the peppers coarsely after discarding all the seeds. Pour the oil into a large, wide pan and set over medium-high heat. When hot, put in the peppers, onions, potatoes, ginger, fennel seeds, turmeric, cumin, and cayenne. Stir and fry until all the vegetables just start to brown. Add 2 cups of the stock and the salt. Stir and bring to a simmer. Cover, turn heat to low, and simmer gently for 25 minutes. Ladle the soup in batches into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the blended soup into a clean pot. Add the remaining stock, thinning the soup out as much as you like. Add the cream and mix it in. Adjust salt, as needed. Heat through before serving. Yield: 4 to 5 servings.







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Carrot Ginger Soup - Karista's Kitchen
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56 comments :

Jeannie said...

Well the color of this soup is certainly warming so I shall believe your word that this soup is ambrosia:D Definitely looks like a wonderful soup to slurp away the blues!

Lifewithspices said...

Wow indian style soup i love it.. sure try ..

Val @ Mental Chew said...

Sold!

Manu said...

Ciao Mary, I love all kind of soup, this looks yummy! A very confort food! Have a nice day

Donna Elick said...

Well, I have been on a bit of a red pepper kick lately. I am definitely bookmarking this one!!! YUM!

Elin said...

Mary..what a flavorful soup..love that color and I am sure it taste wonderful too :)
Have a nice day,
Elin

Anonymous said...

I can see that this is one perfect soup given the ingredients! Have a super day Mary :)

Katarina said...

I like the flavors in this soup! Have a great day!

A Bitchin' Kitchen said...

This sounds delicious, and you captured such a beautiful photo! It is so difficult to photograph soup!

- Maggie

Diane said...

I have Madhur Jaffrey's curry book and it is just the best.
I have not heard the saying 'My eyes are bigger than my stomach' in years, it was one of my mother's favourite expressions. Diane

Rambling Tart said...

Oh, this looks lovely, Mary. :-) It's been so cold and rainy in Amsterdam that I've been making a lot of soup - French onion, Carrot Dill, and Chicken Veg today. This would be a perfect addition. :-)

Maris (In Good Taste) said...

I adore soup and this looks so warm and comforting!

Tanna said...

Mary, with an endorsement like that, it MUST be tried! I do so love to find other souls who loosen the hounds of hell on occasion. ;) Mine tend to be in other areas... as in shawls for the moment. But, I do so understand. I look forward to reading of what else may be loosened in the fray. From one excessive soul to another... blessings ~ tanna

Alexis @ There She Goes said...

this looks awesome...but there's no way i can handle soup in 100+ weather!! bookmarked for the next rainy day :)

Martha said...

I've not used any of her recipes but this certainly looks good. Both of these ladies I've never paid much attention to, in fact. Next time red peppers are on sale, this soup will be on my table!

Debbie said...

This sounds like a wonderful soup. I love red peppers and fennel. Two winning ingredients!

Clint said...

Honestly---I do not know how good this soup is, but I have fallen in love with your description of it.

Sprigs of Rosemary said...

I believe you! I believe you! I'm needing some ambrosia.

StephenC said...

I was so afraid you were going to insist on peeling the peppers. I don't do that no mo'. I will try this, and soon.

From the Kitchen said...

O.K. Mary--I'll make the soup! You are very persuasive. Besides, it looks and sounds delicious!! Not to mention that I can almost smell the aroma wafting from your kitchen.

Best,
Bonnie

Unknown said...

I used to always check out too many books at the library... Ok, I still do from time to time :)
What a gorgeous looking soup, Mary! Even when it's 110 you can make me crave soup!!

Kath said...

OK, this is definitely on my "must try" list! I can totally see it as a light meal served with warm naan and a big salad. I appreciate all the research you did to find it! ;)

June said...

If this makes your socks go up and down it has got to be marvelous. I can't wait to try it. Between the color and the strong flavors I just know we're going to love it!

Schnitzel and the Trout said...

Mary, your excitement came through loud and clear. Everyone who follows you knows that when the socks go up and down...Mary has a winner!!! Can't wait to try. Susan

PeggyR said...

Sounds good!

Jessica | Cajunlicious said...

Mary, you had me locked in from the title! Red pepper, ginger, and fennel....delicious combo. Looking forward to making this!

Priyanka said...

Looks stunning...

Jocie's Mom said...

Gosh, with an endorsement like that how can I not try it!? Sounds amazing :)

Epicurea said...

this looks like an absolute comfort food!

Reshmi Mahesh said...

Flavorful yummy soup...

Rosita Vargas said...

I love delicious soup with ginger is great, big hugs.

Sue/the view from great island said...

I'm doing the same thing with the Madhur Jaffrey recipes! Can't stop! Of course I have the ingredients for this soup and from what you say I have to try it.

Unknown said...

This sounds fabulous! I love all of your ingredients and can just imagine how delicious this must be - such a pretty color too, would go just great in my house! :)

Chelsea said...

Mmm, the ingredient list sounds like a delightful combination. So yummy.

Ma What's 4 dinner said...

Oh that sounds divine! I'm going to have to make this very very soon. I bet the boys will LOVE IT!

Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner
www.mawhats4dinner.com

Pam said...

What a great combination of flavors Mary!

Unknown said...

So many great flavors going on in this soup, and it's gorgeous as well! YUM!

Rita said...

I am so printing this out. Roasted red pepper is one of my favourites; the colour kind of stomped me until I went to the ingredients; thanks Mary.
Rita

Joanne said...

I always bite off more than I can chew also (literally) so I can certainly understand where you're coming from. This definitely looks too tasty not to have made!

Julie said...

I love a flavorful soup and this sounds amazing! Bookmarking for sure :)

Wendy Irene said...

I am the same with books and food :) In fact, I was just thinking that yesterday at lunch. My eyes are bigger than my stomach, too!

MyBlackPoodles said...

I definitely intend to try this soup. I'm so glad "we ran into each other".

That Girl said...

This sounds like a soup that would also be good with some extra cayenne or pepper flakes for some real spice!

Anonymous said...

Oh, this sounds fabulous Mary! I love the kick of the spices. Love red peppers.

Ginny Hartzler said...

It looks smooth, creamy, and yummy!

Merisi said...

i could not resist! :-)

Gloria Baker said...

Mary I love the colour of this lovely soup! gloria

The Blonde Duck said...

I'll save this for fall!

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

Ha, I have never made the connection between dishing up too much food and checking out too many library books. You are brilliant.



Fondly,
Glenda

The Harried Cook said...

I am not a Madhur Jaffrey fan, but I will take your word that this soup tastes great, and I will make it soon! Can't resist making something that you describe as 'ambrosia'! Must try this! Thanks for sharing, Mary!

Ryan said...

Well, you don't have to ask me twice. I'll be glad to make this beautiful soup! :) I love that you can make it in under an hour too. This is bookmarked!!

sally said...

Love the combination of red pepper and ginger in this soup!

Elaine said...

I enjoy reading your posts so much, Mary. How can someone not want to make this after reading about it?!

Anonymous said...

The red pepper soup sounds delicious!

Made in Sonoma said...

Wow, what a big collections of recipes you share! So many look good but this one definitely appeals to me!

What's Baking?? said...

Wow..from the recipe I can tell that this is good stuff! Thanks for sharing.

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