Red Pepper Soup

Ingredients

• 6 medium sweet red peppers, chopped
• 2 medium carrots, chopped
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 1 celery rib, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cans (one 49-1/2 ounces, one 14-1/2 ounces) chicken broth
• 1/2 cup uncooked long grain rice
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh thyme or 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes