Roasted red bell pepper soup

An unusual weather swept our area the last two days. A frigid air , light snow dusting in lower elevation, a dangerous frosty black ice for the morning commute brought a new experience for Northern Californian. It was unexpected! Brr...sudden unbearable cold. First time, I have seen the temperature dipping to freezing level in 5 years! Seems none bothered or complained this cold weather. Many enthusiastic school kids were rolling in  frosty grass, trying to make icy ball including my son, they enjoyed the weather change and wished the ice should stay for longer! Hey, I don't welcome this kind of change ! Thanks to mother nature, it is temporary, the mercury level should rise back! But rain is on the way, hmm better than snow and frost!

What could be better than having a bowl of hot soup? To feel cozy for the chilly cold night! It is light and full of flavor!

Roasted red bell pepper-tomato and basil soup

Yield: 2 bowls

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Ingredients:

Red bell pepper: 1 large or 2 small

Tomato juice : 1 cup (I used canned organic tomato juice) or use 2 to 3 fresh blanched tomatoes

Milk (low fat): 1 1/2 cup

Onion: 1 medium diced

Garlic: 2 cloves

Basil: fresh 6 to 8 leaves

Olive oil: 1 tsp

Salt: as per ur taste

Freshly ground black pepper

To garnish

Greek yogurt or sour cream: a dollop

Basil leaves.

Step 1

How to roast the bell pepper?

Halve the bell pepper , remove the stem, seeds and membrane. Place in baking sheet , skin side up. Broil the pepper until the skin charred or turns black. Take out and place immediately in brown paper bag or keep in a plastic container with lid!

After 10 or 15 min, take out and remove the loosen skin. Dice into chunk.

U can even roast the tomato if you use fresh one.

How to prepare this soup?

Heat a pot with oil, sauté the onion followed by garlic. Add the tomato juice and bell pepper, heat through in low heat. Add the milk bring to a low boil, add the basil and immediately with hand blender, blend the soup into a desired consistency. Give a rough blend. You may adjust the salt and pepper if u think the soup is thick with milk or warm water can be added.

Serve in the bowl , top with cream/greek yogurt and basil. A hot sandwich will be a perfect accompaniment for the dinner table!

This soup is for the happy soul lady who picked Monthly Mingle :Soup  event created by another talented blogger Meeta.