Roasted Red Pepper and Eggplant Soup

Roasted Red Pepper and Eggplant Soup
Roasted Red Pepper and Eggplant Soup
Eggplant adds a nutty flavor. Open a light-bodied Valpolicella from Italy for the meal.
  • Preparing Time: -
  • Total Time: -
  • Served Person: Makes 8 servings
Italian Mediterranean Soup/Stew Blender Tomato Vegetable Roast Lunch Basil Leek Eggplant Bell Pepper Healthy Bon Appétit Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
  • parmesan cheese shavings
  • 2 medium onions, chopped
  • Carbohydrate 28 g(9%)
  • Cholesterol 19 mg(6%)
  • Fat 15 g(23%)
  • Fiber 7 g(27%)
  • Protein 10 g(19%)
  • Saturated Fat 5 g(23%)
  • Sodium 422 mg(18%)
  • Calories 275

Preparation Preheat oven to 450°F. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Pierce eggplants all over with fork. Transfer, cut side down, to baking sheet. Roast until tender, about 45 minutes. Cool slightly. Remove peel and discard. Cut eggplants into large pieces. Rinse eggplant pieces under running water. Drain well. Set aside. Char bell peppers over gas flame or in broiler until blackened on all sides. Enclose in paper bag 10 minutes. Peel, seed and coarsely chop peppers. Heat oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add onions and leek and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Stir in eggplant, peppers, chicken stock, and tomato paste. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer uncovered until vegetables are tender, about 45 minutes. Stir in basil and thyme. Cool slightly. Working in batches, puree soup in blender until smooth. Return soup to pot. Season with salt and pepper. Add butter and lemon juice; stir over low heat until soup is heated through, about 5 minutes. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to simmer before continuing.) Transfer to large bowl; garnish with Parmesan.

Preparation Preheat oven to 450°F. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Pierce eggplants all over with fork. Transfer, cut side down, to baking sheet. Roast until tender, about 45 minutes. Cool slightly. Remove peel and discard. Cut eggplants into large pieces. Rinse eggplant pieces under running water. Drain well. Set aside. Char bell peppers over gas flame or in broiler until blackened on all sides. Enclose in paper bag 10 minutes. Peel, seed and coarsely chop peppers. Heat oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add onions and leek and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Stir in eggplant, peppers, chicken stock, and tomato paste. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer uncovered until vegetables are tender, about 45 minutes. Stir in basil and thyme. Cool slightly. Working in batches, puree soup in blender until smooth. Return soup to pot. Season with salt and pepper. Add butter and lemon juice; stir over low heat until soup is heated through, about 5 minutes. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to simmer before continuing.) Transfer to large bowl; garnish with Parmesan.