Smoky Tomato Soup

I was reading this book in which the main character's favorite meal was smoked tomato soup. Since I'm a foodie, that's all I could think about, so I came up with this recipe. And it's so, so yummy! And it goes really well with a good grilled cheese sandwich. So good! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

-2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil

-1 onion, chopped

-1 large carrot, peeled and chopped

-4 garlic cloves, minced

-2 (14.5 oz each) cans fire roasted tomatoes, with their juice

-2 (14.5 oz each) cans petite diced tomatoes, with their juice

-1 (16 oz) jar roasted red peppers, drained and roughly chopped

-2 cups chicken or vegetable broth

-1 bay leaf

-2 tsp salt

-2 tsp smoked paprika

-1/2 tsp cayenne 

-1 cup heavy cream

-1 tsp liquid smoke

-optional, bacon bits for topping

Directions:

Heat oil in large pot. Add the onion and carrot and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Stir in all the canned tomatoes and juices, drained peppers, broth, bay leaf, salt, paprika, and cayenne. Give it a really good stirring and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

Remove the bay leaf and cream the soup, either using an immersion blender or working in batches with a regular blender.

Once nice and smooth, stir in the cream and liquid smoke. 

Ladle that goodness into bowls and enjoy!