Roasted Red Bell Pepper Soup with Star Anise

Ingredients

• 7 red bell peppers, roasted, peeled, and seeded; juices reserved
• 2 pods (or 1-½ tsp. broken pieces) star anise
• 1 tsp. kosher salt; more to taste
• ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper; more to taste
• 12 leaves fresh basil
• Extra-virgin olive oil and sherry vinegar (optional)
• ¼ cup olive oil
• + 6 more ingredients
• • 4 large onions (about 24 oz. total), chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 cubic inch fresh ginger (about ½ oz.), peeled and chopped
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped (about 4 oz. chopped)
  • 2 qt. homemade or low-salt chicken broth
  • Pinch cayenne

Heat the 1/4 cup olive oil in a 6-qt. soup pot over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, ginger, and carrots and sauté until very soft but not browned, 20 to 25 min. Add the broth and turn the heat to high. Add the roasted peppers and any reserved juices, as well as the star anise, salt, pepper,...

View full recipe at Fine Cooking