The Sun Bird's Roasted Pepper Soup

Every year, people  from cold climates (aka Snow Birds) descend upon Arizona in order to avoid bad winter weather and snow.  I know because my daughter lives in Mesa.  I, on the other hand, go north in the summer to avoid the sun of Las Vegas.  I think that makes me a Sun Bird. 

So, I arrived in Denver last weekend, and to my surprise, we had snow yesterday.  I was probably the only person in the entire city who was delighted to have snow in May!  It was the perfect day for staying indoors and cooking.  I made some strawberry orange jam, which tastes great, but the recipe needs more work before I post it.  I also made one of my favorite soups, and that recipe follows.

Roasted Pepper Soup

6 peppers (red, yellow, or orange)

3 Tablespoons olive oil

1 onion, chopped

1 14-0z can chicken broth

2 C. water

1 teaspoon Kosher salt

Pinch of red pepper flakes

Juice of one lemon

Garlic and herb goat cheese for garnish (optional)

Cut pepper in half and remove stem, ribs and seeds.  Place cut side down on a  rimmed cookie sheet.  Roast peppers under a broiler until charred.  Place peppers in a paper bag, or in a bowl covered with plastic wrap. 

Pour olive oil in a stock pot and set to medium heat.  Sauté onions until translucent.  Add chicken wroth, water, salt, and pepper flakes. 

Remove skins from peppers and cut in chunks.  Add to pot and simmer for 20 minutes.  Use an immersion blender to puree the soup.  Stir in the lemon juice.  Serve in bowls and garnish with the goat cheese.

Juliette Fay

I just finished reading Shelter Me by Juliette Fay, and I recommend it highly.  The story of a feisty young widow trying to cope after her husband dies in a bicycle accident, is a sad one—expect to cry—but it is really a story of perseverance in the face of tragedy, of grace given in the most unexpected places, and of the grief we all feel from a variety of sources. 

The story works because it is sparked with humor.  Like I do when I see the rubber chicken of stock comedy shows, I have to laugh every time I read the name of Janie’s church:  Our Lady, Comforter of the Afflicted Church.  Janie may be sarcastic and “prickly” at times, but her humor serves her well, and we can see the really good woman who lies under the surface of her barbed remarks. I promise that you will enjoy getting to know her.

So how does this great read fit in a blog about food?  Well, check out the recipes for Pology Cake, Peanut Butter Blossoms, and Struffoli that are given in the back.