Cream Of Peppers And Tomatoes Recipes

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the peppers and then shake the pan to coat them with oil.
• Add the tomatoes and, if using canned tomatoes, about 1/2 cup of the juice. Add the basil, salt and pepper to taste and cook, stirring from time to time, for 20 to 30 minutes.

Steps:

• Roast peppers: rub oil on peppers and put them under the broiler until blackened, turn to get all sides. Put into paper bag and seal. Let rest for 15 minutes, then peel will come right off and core and seeds will fall out. Chop peppers. Reserve one chopped pepper; set aside.
• Heat olive oil over moderate heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until soft but not brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato, bell peppers (except reserved), thyme, paprika, and sugar. Cook over medium-low heat until all the tomato juices have evaporated, about 25 minutes.
• Stir in chicken stock, salt and pepper, cayenne pepper, and hot sauce (if using). Bring to boiling, lower heat, and simmer, partially covered, for 25 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
• Strain soup, reserving broth. Place solids in food processor or blender, and process until fairly smooth. Add puree back into broth.
• Melt butter and stir in the flour, cook for 1 minute. Stirring slowly, add the broth/vegetable mixture. Add reserved chopped pepper and bring to boiling. Lower heat and simmer 10 minutes.
• Ladle into bowls and add 1 tablespoon of sour cream to each bowl. For a lighter soup, this is also delicious without the sour cream.

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet or heavy casserole over medium heat and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes, and add the garlic and peppers. Cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes and add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes, until the peppers are tender.
• Add the tomatoes, thyme, salt, and pepper, bring to a simmer, and simmer, stirring from time to time, until the tomatoes have cooked down somewhat, about 10 minutes. Cover, reduce the heat and simmer over low heat for another 15 to 20 minutes (or longer), stirring from time to time, until the mixture is thick and fragrant. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve as a side dish, as a topping for pizza, pasta, polenta, rice, or bruschetta, as a filling for an omelet, or stir into scrambled eggs.