Preheat the oven to 220°C (top-bottom). Wash the bell peppers and dry them. Cut the peppers in half lengthwise, remove the seeds and white membranes. Peel the onion and cut it into quarters. Wash the apple, remove the core, and cut it in half (no need to peel, the skin will add color). Cut the potatoes into larger cubes (about 2 cm).
Description
Aromatic roasted red pepper cream soup is an autumn suggestion for a warming, colorful meal perfect for Halloween. The base consists of roasted red peppers and gently caramelized onions, along with roasted apple for natural sweetness. The texture is smooth and velvety thanks to potatoes and a small amount of cream, while smoked paprika and thyme add a smoky-herbaceous background. Serve with toasted pumpkin seeds and parsley — the visual effect (intense red cream with black seeds and green leaves) perfectly fits the Halloween atmosphere. It works well as an appetizer before the main course or as a light meal on its own.
Ingredients Used
Ingredients (15)
- Red bell pepper 4.4 pcs (~800 g)
- Onion 1 pcs (~150 g)
- Garlic 3 clove (~15 g)
- Potatoes 2 pcs (~300 g)
- Rapeseed oil 30 g
- Vegetable broth 1000 ml
- 18% cream 100 ml
- Lemon 0.6 pcs (~50 g)
- Apple 0.8 pcs (~150 g)
- 🌿 Spices
- Salt 0.2 pinch (~5 g)
- Black pepper 4 pinch (~2 g)
- Thyme 2 g
- Smoked paprika 2.5 tsp (~5 g)
- ✨ Optional
- Roasted pumpkin seeds 30 g
- Parsley 1 bunch (~30 g)
💡 Click an ingredient to mark it as used
Preparation steps
Preparing the vegetables
Baking
On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, place the halved peppers skin side up, and arrange the quartered onion and apple next to them. Drizzle the peppers and onion with 1 tablespoon of rapeseed oil, and lightly salt. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the skin of the peppers starts to darken and crack, and the onion becomes soft and slightly caramelized.
Baking - cooling and peeling
Remove the baking tray from the oven and transfer the hot peppers to a bowl, covering it tightly with a plate or plastic wrap for 10 minutes — this will make it easier to peel off the skin. After 10 minutes, remove the skin from the peppers, discarding the skin and any remaining tough parts. Cut the soft part of the peppers into larger pieces.
Frying
In a large pot with a capacity of about 3 liters, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of rapeseed oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion (if you roasted the onion separately, add it now) and sauté for 4-6 minutes until it becomes translucent and slightly golden. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30-45 seconds until it starts to smell — be careful not to burn it.
Cooking
Add the chopped potatoes, pieces of peeled peppers, and apples to the pot. Pour in vegetable broth so that the ingredients are covered (about 1 l). Add thyme and half of the smoked paprika. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat and cook for 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are soft (check with a fork — it should go in easily).
Blending
When the vegetables are soft, remove the pot from the heat. Use an immersion blender (or transfer in batches to a countertop blender) and blend until smooth. Stir in a downward motion and keep the blender's tip submerged to avoid splattering the hot soup. The consistency should be uniform and creamy.
Seasoning
After blending, place the pot back on very low heat. Slowly add 18% cream, stirring with a wooden spoon to combine the cream with the soup. Add lemon juice (from half a lemon first, seasoning gradually), salt, pepper, and the remaining smoked paprika. Taste and adjust with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.
Serving
Pour the soup into shallow bowls. In the center of each serving, create a gentle swirl with a teaspoon of cream. Sprinkle with toasted pumpkin seeds and freshly chopped parsley. For a Halloween effect, you can add a few thin strips of roasted bell pepper arranged like 'spiderwebs'.
Additional tips
If you want a vegan version, replace the cream with plant-based yogurt or coconut milk. Instead of pumpkin seeds, you can use sourdough bread croutons. The soup holds up well to being seasoned with a few drops of truffle oil just before serving for a luxurious aroma.
Fun Fact
In Spain, smoked paprika (pimentón) is used for a smoky aroma; in Polish autumn, roasted peppers enhanced with the addition of apple and pumpkin seeds work perfectly.
Best for
Tips
Serve the hot soup in wide bowls, garnished with sour cream, toasted pumpkin seeds, and parsley. A slice of rye bread or garlic croutons pairs well with the soup. For Halloween, serve in black bowls for a color contrast.
Store in the refrigerator for 2-3 days in an airtight container. To reheat, warm over low heat, stirring occasionally, adding 2-3 tablespoons of water or broth if the soup has thickened. Do not freeze cream in the soup — it's better to add fresh cream after thawing and reheating.
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