Chilled Red Bell Pepper and Habanero Soup

A refreshing and spicy chilled soup featuring roasted red bell peppers, fresh tomatoes, and habanero chiles. This vibrant soup balances sweet peppers with fiery habaneros for a unique summer appetizer.

6 servings
1 hr 5 min

Ingredients

  • 4 whole medium red bell peppers
  • 2 pounds tomatoes
  • 1 whole sweet onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 5 whole fresh habanero chiles
  • cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 serving crackers
  • 1 serving flatbread
  • 1 serving bread

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Roast bell peppers on racks of gas burners over high heat (or on a broiler pan about 2 inches from broiler), turning with tongs, until skins are blackened, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let stand 20 minutes. Peel, then halve lengthwise, discarding stems and seeds.

    32 min

  2. 2.

    Cut a shallow X in bottom of each tomato, then blanch tomatoes in simmering water 20 seconds and transfer to an ice bath. Peel and coarsely chop, reserving juices.

    5 min

  3. 3.

    Cook onion, garlic, chiles, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in 2 tablespoons oil in a 3- to 4-quart heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened and pale golden, about 8 minutes. Add tomatoes with juices, bell peppers, broth, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and simmer, covered, until peppers are tender, about 5 minutes.

    13 min

  4. 4.

    Purée soup in 2 or 3 batches in a blender (use caution when blending hot liquids), drizzling remaining 1/4 cup oil into first batch with motor running. Quick-chill soup in a metal bowl set in an ice bath, stirring often, 10 to 15 minutes. Season with salt.

    15 min

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