Roasted Red Pepper Soup (Print Version)

Silky roasted red pepper and garlic soup with a warming harissa kick. Simple Mediterranean comfort.

# Components:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 large red bell peppers
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
04 - 1 head garlic
05 - 1 medium potato, peeled and diced

→ Pantry

06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
07 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
08 - 1.5 teaspoons harissa paste
09 - 4 cups vegetable broth
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

12 - 0.25 cup crème fraîche or plain Greek yogurt
13 - Fresh cilantro or parsley leaves
14 - Crusty bread for serving

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F.
02 - Cut the red peppers in half, remove seeds and membranes, and place them cut-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Slice off the top of the garlic head to expose the cloves, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and place on the baking sheet.
03 - Roast peppers and garlic for 25 to 30 minutes, until the pepper skins are charred and blistered. Remove and let cool.
04 - Once cooled, peel the skins off the peppers and squeeze the roasted garlic cloves from their skins.
05 - In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and potato. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until softened.
06 - Stir in tomato paste and harissa; cook for 1 minute.
07 - Add roasted peppers, roasted garlic, smoked paprika, and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until vegetables are tender.
08 - Purée the soup in batches using a blender or with an immersion blender until silky smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
09 - Ladle into bowls, swirl with crème fraîche or yogurt, and garnish with fresh herbs as desired. Serve with crusty bread.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour and tastes like you've been simmering it all day.
  • The harissa adds just enough heat to keep things interesting without overwhelming anyone at the table.
  • One pot, minimal cleanup, and it actually tastes better the next day when flavors have gotten friendly with each other.
02 -
  • Don't skip the roasting step trying to save time—it's the entire foundation of why this tastes like something special instead of just blended vegetables.
  • Blend until it's genuinely smooth; even small flecks of unblended pepper will change the texture from silky to grainy, and that one step makes all the difference in how it tastes.
03 -
  • Check the harissa paste label before buying—some brands are significantly spicier than others, so adjust your opening amount accordingly and taste before committing to the full amount.
  • Use an immersion blender if you have one; it's faster, safer, and you get the same silky result without the multiple batches and transfer risk.
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