Roasted Red Pepper Soup

Some of the many reasons I'm loving summer right now:

• Outdoor farmers markets for fresh local produce
• Golf
• Outdoor patios
• Hiking and biking
• Grilled vegetables and fruit of all kinds. Peaches, bell peppers, pineapple, zucchini...

One of my go to sides for dinners as of late this summer has been bell peppers roasted on the grill. When it's done roasting we take it off the grill, wrap it up in some foil and let it sit for a minute to let it soak all the juices back in. Then it get's filled with a tablespoon or two of creamy goats cheese. Sometimes we also add fresh herbs like chopped basil. It's super tasty and perfectly light and satisfying on those hot muggy nights when you don't want to turn the oven or stove on.

Of course, we're talking about soup today because, well, frankly the weather has been a little off this week. One day it's hot and humid, the next it's cold, rainy and I'm back to wearing fleecy sweaters. Make up your mind already summer!

Roasted red peppers and fresh garden tomatoes are one of those things that pair together so well in this soup. It's a fairly simple recipe that can be made quickly for a weeknight supper. And if you're like me and like to be ultra organized you can cut down the prep time by roasting the peppers in advance. It's also excellent reheated the next day for a nutritious lunch.

Served with toasty whole grain bread this soup can surprise those that never new they were pepper lovers.

If you like creamy style soups, I would highly recommend finishing the dish off with a bit of goat cheese swirled into your bowl. Just like a twist on those stuffed roasted peppers. It's much healthier than cream and tastes just as good, if not better, without all the fat.

Roasted Red Pepper Soup gluten free (serves 6-8)

Print or email this recipe

Ingredients:

• 7 red bell peppers
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 large russet potato, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
• 4 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 can of no-sodium diced tomatoes
• Juice of 1 lemon
• chopped chives for garnish
• 1/4 cup goats cheese (optional)

Directions:

1. First, roast the peppers: cut the tops of the bell peppers off; discard seeds and membranes. Then, slice the peppers in half and flatten with the palm of your hand. Roast peppers on BBQ until black, remove and place in a large bowl; cover with saran wrap. Let sit for 15 minutes. Peel off blackened skins and chop. If you are looking for the oven method follow these instructions: How to Roast Bell Peppers.
2. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, thyme, and oregano. Saute, stirring occasionally until the onions begin to soften and look translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Add potato, bell peppers, broth, and tomatoes. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to simmer until the potatoes are very tender, about 30 minutes.
4. Using an immersion hand blender or stand blender, puree the soup until it is very smooth. Add lemon juice, salt and pepper. Adjust seasonings to taste.
5. Ladle into bowls and serve hot with fresh snipped chives for garnish

**Note** If you are not vegan, try a tablespoon of goats cheese in the center of each bowl.

Pear and Squash Salad with Clean Balsamic Vinaigrette

Looking to add some kick to your lunch or dinner? This salad will certainly do the trick. I love eating salads for lunch, often with a sprinkle of lemon juice and black pepper, but sometimes the same old same-old gets boring. So what do you do? Kick it up a notch with seasonal produce and homemade clean eating salad dressing. By adding other dimensions using fresh natural ingredients you can make an out of this world salad or meal and still keep things healthy... Keeping YOU clean, lean and full of energy.

So where do you start? How about lettuce? The other day when I was putting this salad together I thought instead of the boring old romain or mixed greens, why not try something different; Boston Lettuce! It's always been one of my favourites. Also know as Bibb lettuce, it's crispy, tender and has such a buttery soft texture. It's also vividly green. Remember the more colours you eat the more nutrition you get. So let's keep that rainbow coming.

Next up seasonal bartlett pears and roasted delicata squash. Seriously, this squash is the bomb! It's shaped similarly to a sweet potato and you can eat the skin. It's yellow in colour and has green stripes. If you have never tried this type of squash before then you're in for a real treat. To roast, first wash then cut it in half and scoop out the seeds. Place each half cut side down and make slices of half moon shapes. Toss with some olive oil, sea salt & pepper and roast at 425*F on a baking sheet for 30 minutes or until tender.

Here is the nutritional profile for 1/2 cup of delicata squash:

And the other stars of this show are toasted omega 3 rich pumpkin seeds and my very own maple balsamic vinaigrette.

Pear and Squash Salad with Clean Balsamic Vinaigrette
(serves 2-4)

Print, Email or Text This Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Squash:

• 1 medium delicata squash
• 1/2 tbsp olive oil
• sea salt & pepper to taste

 For the Salad:

• 1 head of boston lettuce, washed
• 1/3 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
• 1 large bartlett pear, sliced very thinly
• 1/2 cup snow peas, trimmed and halved
• 1/2 cup chopped cucumber
• 1 small chopped green bell pepper
• 3 tbsp dried cranberries
• 4 tbsp maple balsamic vinaigrette (recipe here!!!)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Cut squash in half, de-seed and slice each half into half moon pieces. Place in a large bowl and toss with olive oil, salt & pepper. Roast on a baking sheet for 30 minutes until tender, turning half way through roasting.
3. In a large bowl toss the lettuce, cucumber, snow peas, bell pepper, dried cranberries and vinaigrette together. Portion between plates and top with roasted squash, sliced pear, and toasted pumpkin seeds. Enjoy!