My back and feet both ache horribly. I spent the day trying to find shoes and inserts for my plantar fascaitis. After I found shoes that "might" help, I decided to test them by going to IKEA. I always wind up wandering around on the second floor of the store, getting more and more lost, until my head feels like it's going to explode. It turned out that the cute, inexpensive computer cabinet that I wanted was sold out. Why was it sold out? Because it was featured on Oprah! That's why. And my feet started to hurt, so there was nothing to do but sit down and eat a hot dog and a cinnamon bun, both of which are sold at the exit, taunting everyone in the long check out lines. Eventually, your will is broken and nothing will satisfy except the solace of a so-so hot dog and cinnabun.
It would have been so nice if I had some of the wonderful red bell pepper soup I made on Friday. I could have soaked my feet in it. It's a lovely recipe, low in calories and full of anti-oxidants. It has only one tablespoon of oil, no cream and three red bell peppers. It also had the added kick of arugula, which tastes great with the natural sweetness of the soup. Arugula is an herb, which can surprise people sometimes. So, it makes this recipe perfect for Weekend Herb Blogging, which was created by the lovely Kalyn. She is back from her travels to the BlogHer Conference. So, stop by her site at Kalyn's Kitchen and see all the wonderful herby recipes from bloggers all around the world.
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Not the best job of roasting, but the red peppers made a very pretty soup. You can use yellow or orange peppers too. Or make two contrasting colors of soup and swirl them in a bowl.
This soup can be served hot or chilled. I ate it hot---I couldn't wait for it to chill.
Red Bell Pepper And White Bean Soup, With Arugula
(Bon Appétit, July 1994)
Serves 2-4
3 yellow, orange or red bell peppers
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1/8 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
2 14 1/2-ounce cans low-salt chicken broth
1 15- to 16-ounce can cannellini (white kidney beans), rinsed, drained
1 bunch fresh arugula, sliced
Char bell peppers over gas flame or in broiler until blackened on all sides. Place in paper bag and let stand 10 minutes. Peel, seed and chop peppers.
Heat oil in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add bell peppers and crushed red pepper and sauté 1 minute. Add broth and cannellini. Bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 15 minutes. Strain vegetables, reserving broth. Transfer vegetables to processor; purée. Gradually mix in 2 cups reserved broth. Transfer purée to bowl. Stir in remaining broth. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle a handful of the sliced arugula on top of each serving. You can serve this hot or cold. It tastes wonderful either way.
Let me see...your feet hurt, yet you went to Ikea to test a new pair of shoes.... hmmm... There seems to be something wrong with this picture!
On the other hand your soup looks absolutely right! Pretty, healthy, tasty....
Posted by: Katiez | August 05, 2007 at 01:48 AM
I think testing new shoes at IKEA sounds perfectly normal! And the hot dog and cinnamon bun lunch -- I've done that, too! This soup looks absolutely wonderful, and I've got some peppers that are begging for the grill today.
Posted by: Lydia | August 05, 2007 at 04:07 AM
thanks for stopping by!
and I love the pictures of that soup.
Posted by: marye | August 05, 2007 at 05:40 AM
That soup looks divine. That's my kind of soup. And -- you got a hot dog! Too bad it was only so-so...
Posted by: Lisa | August 05, 2007 at 05:46 AM
The soup sounds just fantastic. We just barely got Ikea in Salt Lake and I have to admit, it makes me completely crazy. I confess, I've only gone once and it was on a Saturday afternoon (big mistake!) And I went there with no specific purchase in mind (another mistake!) If I was looking for a rug or furniture I might go there again, but it's not really my thing. Being in Ikea when your feet hurt is my idea of hell.
Posted by: Kalyn | August 05, 2007 at 06:19 AM
This soup has such a vibrant colour! I would love to try it out.
Posted by: Anh | August 05, 2007 at 07:51 AM
I can't believe how intense the color is even with the addition of cannelini and arugula! Soup-(h)erb! The mere thought of Ikea sends my hyperventilating- way too much stimulation, I think I need a cinnabun too...
Posted by: Callipygia | August 05, 2007 at 11:27 AM
ugh, I feel you on the owie heels. I find that rowing helps (like on a machine, not on a lake). I don't know why. But if that's not an option, a nice soup-soak sounds pretty good too! especially if the soup is this goregous! another one to save for a rainy day. Thanks Sher!
Posted by: ann | August 05, 2007 at 02:41 PM
The soup looks amazing. I like the use of the beans which should maker it pretty hearty.
Posted by: kevin | August 05, 2007 at 06:03 PM
Hurting feet can ruin entire days, even weeks. Soak those achey puppies in Epsom salts and warm water, while eating a bowl of your scrumptious looking soup. I know you'll feel better! :)
Posted by: Christine | August 05, 2007 at 07:49 PM
What happened to your feet Sher. I wasn't around much so don't know. Hope you are feeling better if not feet wise at least spirit wise after your IKEA walk :)
The soup is divine
Posted by: sandeepa | August 06, 2007 at 10:42 AM
Shopping at IKEA is like going for a long, long hike. You should be wearing hiking boots, not heels. I also find that every time I go I tend to spend way more money than I planned because everything is such a good price I end up putting it in my basket and then suddenly I'm at the checkout paying $75 for a basket of miscellaneous non-essential $1 and $2 items.
Posted by: Julie | August 06, 2007 at 12:48 PM
Feet problems must be going around -- I've just recently developed the same problem and I'm not happy about it. So, I share your pain. Let me know if you find some good shoes, though, I'm looking! (We don't have IKEA here so I guess I can't try them out that way...) Hopefully you'll be feeling better soon.
I love, love, love the look of your soup. I think I need to make it this week. Yum!
Posted by: Alisha | August 06, 2007 at 07:04 PM
Clearly this gorgeous soup is much better tasting than those evil, but great smelling, cinnabuns. Last time I was at Ikea, I resisted, mostly because I was mad at them for filling the check out line with that tantalizing smell. I can be stubborn when it suits me.
I like that the soup has the beans as well as the peppers and can just taste the flavor contrast of the zing of arugula. Yum!
Posted by: Elle | August 06, 2007 at 07:53 PM
The soup looks yummy! Maybe I can use it to fuel my own up-coming trek to Ikea.
Posted by: Teresa | August 06, 2007 at 08:38 PM