Average Rating: 0TOTAL TIME: Prep: 35 min. Cook: 30 min.
YIELD: 5 servings.Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 small carrots, chopped
- 1 cup roasted sweet red peppers, drained and chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) stewed tomatoes, undrained
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 10 slices French bread (1/2 inch thick), halved
- 5 slices provolone cheese, quartered
- 1/4 cup sliced ripe olives, drained
- 3 tablespoons prepared pesto
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 400°. In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and carrots; cook and stir 3-5 minutes or until tender. Add red pepper and garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in tomatoes and broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 15 to 20 minutes.
- 2. Meanwhile, place half-slices of bread 2 in. apart on two baking sheets lined with greased foil. Drape a quarter-slice of cheese over each piece. Cut olive slices to resemble eyes and mouths; top cheese with olive pieces. Bake until cheese is melted, 3-5 minutes. Cool slightly.
- 3. Puree soup using an immersion blender. Or cool soup slightly and puree in batches in a blender. Return to pan and stir in pesto, salt and pepper; heat through. Divide soup evenly among five bowls. Top each with ghost croutons. Serve immediately.