Posted Mar 11, 2011
Does the thought of a bowl of tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich on a cold winter’s day make you smile?
Chances are your dear mother opened a can and melted a slice of yellow American cheese on white bread. But with just about as much effort, you can add nutrition and a bit of sophistication to this classic lunch combo.
The Star’s Roasted Red Pepper Soup With Smoked Gouda features roasted red peppers in a jar, a convenience product available in nearly every supermarket. Red peppers are naturally high in vitamin C and beta carotene. The robust roasted pepper flavor melds beautifully with a grating of smoky Gouda, a Dutch cheese with a nutty, almost butterscotch note.
Can you say “Mmm, mmm good?”
Shopping tips: Look for roasted red peppers in the produce aisle or the condiments aisle, often near the olives. Refrigerate remaining peppers in the jar.
Gouda does not come in pre-shredded packets. Instead, look for a small wheel (often covered in wax) in the deli section and shred your own.
Cooking tip: An immersion blender is a cool little handheld stick with a rotary blade on the end to puree soup right in the pot. They’re a fairly inexpensive appliance, but you can use a blender if you prefer. Just be sure to allow the soup to cool slightly and vent the top before pureeing to avoid splatters on the ceiling.
Serving tip: If you have fresh basil in the fridge, add a leaf to this brilliant red-orange soup for a bit of gourmet style.
ROASTED RED PEPPER SOUP WITH SMOKED GOUDA
Makes 4 servings (total yield 5 cups)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into small pieces
1 (12-ounce) jar roasted red peppers, drained and diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 (14.5-ounce) cans reduced sodium, fat-free chicken broth
2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup shredded smoked Gouda
Heat olive oil in a 4-quart saucepan over medium high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, 3 to 5 minutes or until tender. Add carrots, roasted red peppers, garlic, chicken broth and seasonings. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 25 to 30 minutes.
Remove from heat. Carefully use an immersion blender and puree soup or ladle soup, in batches, into a blender, vent cover and puree soup.
Return soup puree to saucepan; add cheese.
Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until cheese is melted.
Per (11/4 cup) serving: 161 calories (43 percent from fat), 10 grams total fat (3 grams saturated), 16 milligrams cholesterol, 15 grams carbohydrates, 14 grams protein, 165 milligrams sodium, 4 grams dietary fiber.
Recipes developed for The Star by professional home economists Kathryn Moore and Roxanne Wyss.