Roasted Red Pepper Soup With Broccoli Pesto Trees (Food Network Kitchens) |
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Prep Time: 30 Minutes Cook Time: 60 Minutes |
Ready In: 90 Minutes Servings: 4 |
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Ingredients:
1/4 cup blanched almonds |
kosher salt |
1 1/2 cups small broccoli florets |
1 cup packed fresh basil |
2 cloves garlic, smashed |
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil |
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese |
3 red bell peppers |
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil |
1 stalk celery, diced |
1 medium carrot, diced |
1 large leek (white and light green parts only), halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise |
kosher salt |
1 tablespoon fresh thyme |
2 tablespoons tomato paste |
1 quart low-sodium chicken broth |
1 small russet potato, peeled and diced |
8 slices white bread |
Directions:
1. Make the pesto: Toast the almonds in a skillet over medium heat, tossing, until lightly golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a food processor.
2. Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil. Fill a large bowl with ice water. Add the broccoli to the boiling water and cook until bright green, about 2 minutes. Drain and transfer to the ice water to cool, then drain and pat dry. Transfer the broccoli to the food processor with the almonds; add the basil, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt and pulse to make a chunky paste. With the motor running, gradually add the olive oil. Add the parmesan and pulse to combine. Transfer the pesto to a bowl and press plastic wrap directly onto the surface; set aside until ready to use.
3. Make the soup: Preheat the broiler. Put the bell peppers on a baking sheet and broil, turning, until charred, 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap and set aside 5 minutes. Peel the peppers with your fingers under running water; discard the stems and seeds. Roughly chop the peppers.
4. Heat the olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the celery, carrot, leek and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft, about 7 minutes. Stir in the thyme and roasted red peppers. Push the vegetables to one side of the pot; add the tomato paste to the other side and cook, stirring, 2 minutes, then stir into the vegetables. Increase the heat to high; add the chicken broth and 2 cups water and bring to a simmer. Add the potato and simmer until soft, about 30 minutes. Puree with an immersion blender or in a regular blender in batches; keep warm.
5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cut the bread into tree shapes using a cookie cutter. Transfer to a baking sheet and toast in the oven until crisp, about 6 minutes. Ladle the soup into bowls. Spread the pesto on the toast and float in the soup. Serve immediately.
6. Photograph by Lisa Shin
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