Romesco Chilled Soup Sips Recipes

ROMESCO SOUP WITH SMASHED CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176 C) and arrange red peppers, still whole with stems, on one end of a clean baking sheet. On the other end, arrange almonds and garlic (still in skin). If making a larger batch, use more baking sheets, if needed.
• Place baking sheet in oven and roast almonds for 10-12 minutes or until slightly cracked and golden brown. Then remove almonds from pan and set aside. Continue baking garlic for another 5-8 minutes. Then remove and set aside.
• With peppers still on baking sheet, increase heat to 475 degrees F (246 C). Allow red peppers to roast until skin is bubbled and mostly blackened, turning/flipping halfway through to char both sides (~10 minutes).
• Once they're properly charred, wrap roasted red peppers in foil and steam for 2-3 minutes. Then peel away skin, seeds, and core. Also remove skin from roasted garlic.
• Add peeled peppers, almonds, garlic, diced tomatoes, vinegar, paprika, sea salt, pepper, maple syrup or coconut sugar, and (optional) harissa or pepper flake to a high-speed blender. Purée until smooth, scraping down sides as needed. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired, adding more harissa or pepper flake for heat, salt for saltiness, vinegar for acidity, maple syrup or coconut sugar for sweetness, or paprika for smokiness.
• Add the soup to a large pot and add the vegetable broth and smashed chickpeas. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Then reduce heat to low and continue simmering for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Serve as is or with a bit of pine nuts, fresh herbs, vegan parmesan cheese, or your favorite bread or roll.
• Leftovers keep well covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, though best when fresh.

CHILLED PEA SOUP WITH SPICY CRAB

Steps:

• Make the soup: Blend the peas and vegetable broth in a blender until very smooth. With the motor running, slowly pour in the olive oil in a steady stream to emulsify the mixture. Add half of the lemon juice, then chill the soup in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Season with salt and the remaining lemon juice before serving.
• Prepare the crab: Whisk the olive oil, sambal oelek and lemon juice together in a bowl. Fold in the crabmeat and mint and season with a pinch of salt. Fill small cups or glasses about three-quarters of the way with the chilled pea soup. Garnish each portion with 1 generous tablespoon of the spicy crab and serve immediately.

GREEN GARLIC AND ENGLISH PEA SOUP SIPS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium sized pot, over medium heat. Add the celery and green garlic to the pot and sweat until the vegetables become translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the vegetable stock and bring to a boil. Add the English peas and bring to a boil once again. Remove from the heat. Puree in a blender on low speed until smooth. Season with salt and chill. Serve in shot glasses garnished with skewered vegetables. Examples of garnishes include: green or black olives, cooked baby potatoes, sugar snap peas, radishes, baby tomatoes.