Pretty Pepper Soup Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 bacon strip
• 1 large sweet red pepper, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1/8 teaspoon paprika
• 3 to 4 drops hot pepper sauce
• Dash cayenne pepper
• 1 cup chicken broth, divided
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Chives and additional chopped red pepper, optional

Directions

• In a large skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Remove to paper towel to drain. To the drippings, add the red pepper, onion and garlic; saute until onion is tender, about 4 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, paprika, hot pepper sauce and cayenne until well blended. Add 1/4 cup broth. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat; cool for 10 minutes. Puree in a blender; set aside.
• In a large saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Stir in flour; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Gradually add remaining broth; bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for 2 minutes; reduce heat to low.
• Gradually stir in cream and salt. Add puree; heat through. Crumble bacon over top. Garnish with chives and red pepper if desired. Yield: 2 servings.

Pretty Pepper Soup published in Reminisce Extra August 1998, p47