Italian Bell Pepper Soup Food

CREAMY RED PEPPER SOUP

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions, carrots, garlic, and thyme and saute until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the broth, bell peppers, potato, wine, and sugar. Bring to a simmer over high heat. Decrease the heat to medium-low. Partially cover and simmer until the potatoes are very tender, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes. Cool the soup slightly.
• Using an immersion hand blender, puree the soup in the pot until it is smooth. Alternately, working in batches, puree the soup in a regular blender, taking care while blending warm liquids. Season the soup, to taste, with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the bread cubes and saute until they are crisp and golden, about 8 minutes.
• Ladle the soup into bowls. Dollop a tablespoon of mascarpone in the center of each bowl and top with croutons. Sprinkle with pepper and serve.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND PEPPER SOUP

Steps:

• Poke the sausage with a fork in several places, to keep them from exploding.
• Spray your skillet with cooking spray.
• Add sausage, and a little water.
• Cook over medium-high heat until sausages are browned, turning occasionally.
• (This will take about 15 minutes.) When they are finished, transfer sausages to a plate and allow them to cool.
• In a soup pot, combine 2 cups of broth, the onion, the peppers, and garlic.
• Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
• Cover and allow this to simmer about 30 minutes, or until the peppers are tender.
• Remove the casings from the sausages, and slice the sausages into thin round slices.
• Add them to the pot.
• Add the remaining broth, water, oregano, boullion cubes, and pepper.
• Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
• Add the pasta and simmer until the pasta is cooked, about 10 minutes.
• Ladle into soup bowls and enjoy!