Tomato Orange Soup from Cherry Picker Package x Fare

Serves about 8

Ingredients

• Olive oil
• Onion
• Garlic
• Thyme
• Basil
• Chardonnay
• Canned roasted bell peppers
• Orange juice
• Tomato sauce
• Cream
• Salt
• Pepper

Instructions

Start by softening a few cups of diced onion in olive oil over medium heat until glossy and sweet. Add a few spoonfuls of garlic, plenty of salt and pepper, and a generous pinch of thyme and basil. When everything starts to smell fragrant, pour in a good splash of Chardonnay (enough to deglaze the pan and make a little steam). Let it simmer until the alcohol cooks off.

Next, add a couple of cans of roasted red bell peppers with their juices and several cups of orange juice. Bring it all to a gentle boil, then blend until smooth and silky (an immersion blender works best). Stir in tomato sauce and let the soup simmer again until it’s fully warmed through. Finally, add cream. Make sure it’s enough to round out the acidity and give it that velvety finish that Cherry Picker regulars know and love.

Serve it hot, with grilled sourdough or a melty cheese sandwich for dunking and savoring.