Come Valentine’s Day, it would seem that one edible aphrodisiac is on the mind and one only; Chocolate. While I may have my own chocolate-covered plans as well, it’s a crying shame that vegetables are barely even considered when it comes time for a seductive or romantic dinner.
Light, fresh, and invigorating foods should be what’s on the menu, and what could fit the bill better than those much-maligned vegetables? Thank goodness for Vegetable Love 2009, which asks everyone to think of sexy veggie recipes for the holiday.
For an occasion such as this, I tend to think that simplicity should reign, lest that complicated unchicken cordon bleu ends up burning in the oven while you’re busy fussing over the already over-reduced pan sauce you’re making on the stove. Nope, I’ll stick with something fool-proof and guaranteed to satisfy, thank you very much!
Roasted red pepper soup is certainly nothing extraordinary in and of itself, but with a simple garnish of “sour cream” hearts, this unassuming starter is sure to kick of your meal on the right foot. Flavorful without being heavy or cloying like many pureed soups can be, this one definitely won’t weigh you down.
Roasted Red Pepper Soup

Flavorful without being heavy or cloying like many pureed soups can be, this one light starter won’t weigh you down.
Ingredients
- 2 Large Red Bell Peppers
- 2 Cloves Garlic
- 1/4 Medium Onion
- 1 1/2 Cups Vegetable Broth
- 1 Bay Leaf
- 1 Teaspoon Balsamic Vinegar
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450 degrees, and place your peppers on a baking pan lined with a sheet of aluminum. Roast for 25 – 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, smash your cloves of garlic and roughly chop the onion. Move them into a medium saucepan, and add in the broth and bay leaf. Set over medium heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, until the onions are translucent.
- Once the outsides of the peppers are nicely charred, pull them out of the oven and crimp another sheet of aluminum on top to form a nice little package. Let it rest for 10 minutes to steam. Peel the skin off and remove the seeds and membrane. Transfer the cleaned peppers into your blender or food processor. Remove the bay leaf from the broth, and pour the contents of the saucepan, along with the vinegar. Thoroughly puree until completely smooth, and add salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
To make the hearts or just a creamy topping to swirl in, mix together 2 tablespoons of vegan sour cream and 1 teaspoon of plain non-dairy milk until smooth. Transfer the mixture into a small piping bag or squeeze bottle. Squeeze two small dots right next to each other onto the surface of the soup, and then drag a toothpick right down the center, between them. Wipe off the toothpick between hearts to keep it clean and separate.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 54Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 651mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 2gSugar: 7gProtein: 2g
Sounds lovely and healthy! Love the hearts, very cute.
Where?!? Oh where?? Does all this creative genius come from?? Those hearts are the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen! I’ve already done my menu for the week (and, of course, didn’t even realize it was ♥ Day on Saturday), but I’ll tuck this one away for my wedding anniversary in April :-)
hehhee it’s lovely….i’m in lub.I’m in lub!
xoxo
happy early valentines day, Hannah! I love the colors and of course the tiny hearts on the soup :)
LOVE. :) gorgeous color, too.
Brilliant idea! Just as I’m looking for inspiration for Valentine’s Day too!
I’m awestruck!
I LOVE this! The soup looks delicious, and the tiny hearts are adorable. Thanks for including it in Vegetable Love!
Gorgeous Soup! It sounds delicious and OMG the little hearts are the cutest things ever!
Awww…those hearts made MY heart melt! What a wonderful idea, I will be trying this out soon. And, as always, your picture is stunning.
What adorable sour cream hearts!
That looks delish. I love the little hearts.
It looks so pretty, I love the color and the little hearts. Good luck!
Yummers! Good luck – and I’m a sucker for hearts!
Your decoration is too cute!
OK, the hearts are very very cute. The soup sounds very easy to make. Love it!
I love how subtle the hearts are — one might not even notice, but when you do, it’s brilliant!
Beautiful and simple at the same time!
I want to do veggie love too, but I haven’t put anything together yet!
I love a good red pepper soup! And your little hearts are to die for <3 (I think I got that right–not so up to date on emoticons!)
I love pureed soups like this – so creamy without any cream. Those hearts are adorable, you’re always so creative!
Nicely done! I think a smooth creamy soup is the sexiest way to start off a romantic meal.
Beautiful hearts!
Very romantic! ;)
Hi,
Although I am not a vegan, I really enjoy reading your blog. I copied some of your recipes for a friend of mine who is on a gluten free diet, due to health issues. She loved every single one of them. Not only are you a very good cook, but you also write very, very well! Thank you for these wonderful postings and unique photos. Go Hannah!
this is so light and yummy. Ideal for a valentine night . :)
Sounds wonderful and the hearts are so cute!!
adorable adorable adorable! those hearts! they make me go squee!
plus that soup sounds yummy.
Awesome photograph! The “sour cream” hearts are sheer perfection!
Soundy yummy and more on the healthy side! I <3 <3 <3 your photos! SO beautiful and crystal clear!!! :D
Tasty and cute!
Why do I visit this blog……
Because I get inspired to cook with more care, to enjoy my cooking duties, to decorate my food and to enjoy the great variety of vegan foods available.
Being a knitter and crocheter I love the crocheted and knitted characters.
But most of all I feel like I have a friend who shares my strongest beliefs (vegan). I live in a small town and lack vegan connections. I recently discovered blogs and have my favorites, off which this is one. They have become to me like family members who I can “visit”. They give me the support I need to continue to work for the helpless animals with a positive attitude. What a blessing each of you are.
Thank you so much.
Harriet
sounds delicious
yummmm
Oooh, yum! I’m tempted to make this tonight.
Looks so good. Perfect for weekend soup! ~Kelly
Those sour cream hearts are adorable!
Sounds delicious and the hearts are so cute.
Now that’s some vegetable love! The little hearts are so cute.
I just discovered your amazing food blog! The soup is brillant! It looks so tasty!
That is beautiful. I love love love the little hearts! Good job on the entry :)
Love the little hearts! Sooooo cute! :)
This Soup is just AWESOME!!
I LOVE the colours and the little hearts, very appropriate for Valentine’s Day.
Good luck!
:)
those sour cream hearts are exquisite!
Those little hearts are adorable!!
This looks fabulous! Gorgeous photo :)
Great photo and a super easy looking idea for a tasty appetizer.
The soup sounds delicious and the mini heart on the spoon is so so cute!
[…] Soup ♥ […]
Beautiful picture! Love the colour of the soup, and the hearts are the cutest! An easy recipe as well! P E R F E C T ! :)
I made this last night for dinner (with out the hearts) and it went over really well! Thanks for the post!
The picture is amazing!! The recipe sounds good and not too many ingredients either.
The little hearts are just too cute! Great recipe!
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This looks fabulous!
[…] Roasted Red Pepper Soup is quite the blast from the past, so pardon the terrible photo! Though the recipe itself is nothing […]