Roasted Red Pepper & Habanero Cappuccinos
A Recipe to Fall For from Chef Linda Hampsten Fox
Linda Hampsten Fox’s cookbook, The Bindery: A Collection of Recipes, is filled with ideas for more than 75 original dishes using local seasonal ingredients. With fall harvest upon us, these deliciously divine dishes celebrate life through food.
ROASTED RED PEPPER & HABANERO CAPPUCCINOS (serves 6)
Ingredients
- 6 red bell peppers
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 cup chopped sweet onion
- 3–4 cloves of garlic, chopped
- 4 fresh habanero chiles, stemmed, seeded and finely chopped
- 1 ½ cups vegetable stock
- 1 cup tomato purée½ cup cream
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Directions
Roast the red peppers under the broiler on a foil-lined cookie sheet, turning often until completely blackened. Remove and let sit for 2 minutes. Using tongs, place the peppers in a gallon-size zip bag. Seal and let cool. As the peppers cool inside the bag, the steam will help separate the skins. Avoid rinsing the peppers as it will wash away all the smoky flavors. Once the peppers are peeled, place them into a bowl along with any juices remaining in the bag.
Warm the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and chiles, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes or until softened. Add the red peppers along with all the juices, vegetable stock and tomato purée and continue to cook for 5 minutes. Transfer everything to a blender and purée. Add the cream, then season to taste with salt.
Return to the pan to reheat, adding the butter a tablespoon at a time, whisking with each addition for a silky texture. Let cool and refrigerate . Serve cold, at room temperature or warm. We like to serve this soup as a cappuccino, topped with frothy milk foam.
Chef Tip: Make this recipe 2-3 days before serving to let the flavors develop. The spice will intensify over time, so make sure the soup is not too spicy when you first make it. Use gloves when handling the hot peppers, as the capsaicin will stay on your hands long after washing and direct contact with your eyes could land you in the emergency room.
