Ingredients
4 red peppers
55g/2oz butter
425g/15oz potatoes, peeled and diced to 5mm/1/3in
110g/4oz onions, diced to 1/3in dice
1 tsp salt
freshly ground pepper
900ml/1½pt home-made chicken stock or vegetable stock
120ml/4fl oz creamy milk
sprigs of flatleaf parsley
roasted chillies (optional)
Method
1. Roast or chargrill the peppers for 10-15 minutes in the oven and then leave to cool in a plastic bag.
2. Peel and deseed, save the sweet juices and carefully purée the flesh with the juices. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
3. Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan. When it foams, add the potatoes and onions and toss them in the butter until well coated.
4. Sprinkle with salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cover with a butter wrapper or paper lid and the lid of the saucepan. Sweat on a gentle heat for approximately 10 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, bring the stock to the boil. When the vegetables are soft but not coloured add the boiling stock and continue to cook for about 10-15 minutes or until the vegetables are soft.
6. Add the milk. purée the soup in a blender or food processor. Taste and adjust seasoning.
7. Just before serving, swirl the red pepper purée through the soup or simply drizzle on top of each bowl. Top with some snipped flat parsley. You might try adding one or two roast chillies to the pepper for a little extra buzz - serrano or jalapeno are good.
