Red Pepper Fennel Soup With Pita Chips Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Add the celery, carrots, onion, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, 7 minutes.
• Add 6 cups water, the chickpeas, tomatoes, 2 teaspoons cumin, 1 teaspoon coriander and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally and slightly mashing the chickpeas with the back of a spoon, until the soup thickens slightly, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, slice the pitas into thin wedges. Toss with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon coriander and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake until golden and crisp, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Stir the lemon juice into the soup just before serving. Top with cilantro and the pita chips.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°. Reserve 4 strips of roasted red pepper and set aside. In a medium pot, place 4 tablespoons melted butter over medium heat.
• Add the leek and chopped fennel bulb and cook until lightly golden, about 10 minutes.
• Add the remaining roasted red peppers, the potato, broth, 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and bring to a boil.
• Lower the heat and simmer, partially covered, until the potato is tender, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place the pitas on a baking sheet and drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter. Sprinkle with some of the fennel fronds and salt; toast in the oven, 6 to 8 minutes. Set aside.
• Using an immersion or standing blender, working in batches if necessary, blend the potato mixture until smooth.
• If desired, place a sieve over a large pot and strain the soup. Stir in the heavy cream and season with salt and pepper.
• Serve the soup hot or cold with the pita chips. Dollop with sour cream, if desired, and top with the reserved roasted red pepper strips and more fennel fronds.

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and add the onion, celery, chopped fennel and a generous pinch of salt. Cook gently for about 5 to 8 minutes, until the vegetables have softened and lost some of their volume. Add the potatoes, garlic, bouquet garni and the water or stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, add salt to taste, cover and simmer 45 minutes.
• Remove the bouquet garni. Blend the soup until smooth with an immersion blender, or ladle into a blender, working in 1 1/2-cup batches. Remove the center from the blender cover, place a towel over the cover and pull it down tightly to prevent splashing. Blend and return to the pot. Heat through, add salt and pepper to taste and serve, or chill and serve cold, with your choice of garnishes.

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the quartered fennel bulbs; cook and stir until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Pour in the broth, and simmer until fennel is tender, about 15 more minutes. Ladle into soup bowls, and season with salt and pepper.