Today, I’m going to share with you a delicious recipe for James Martin’s tomato and red pepper soup, a perfect dish for the cold weather. This soup is easy to make, rich in flavour, and packed with immune-boosting ingredients. You’ll love the taste of roasted peppers, shallots, and tomatoes, blended with garlic, chilli, and paprika. I’ll show you how to make this soup step by step, and also give you some tips on how to serve it with cheesy garlic bread or waffles. Let’s get started!
What is James Martin Tomato and Red Pepper Soup?
James Martin Tomato and Red Pepper Soup is a creamy and spicy soup made with roasted peppers, shallots, tomatoes, garlic, and chilli. It’s a recipe by James Martin, a famous British chef and TV presenter, who is known for his simple and delicious dishes. This soup is one of his signature recipes, and it’s perfect for a cozy and comforting meal.
Why You Love this Recipe
There are many reasons to love this recipe, such as:
- It’s easy to make, with only a few ingredients and steps.
- It’s rich in flavour, with a balance of sweetness, acidity, and heat.
- It’s packed with immune-boosting ingredients, such as vitamin C, antioxidants, and fibre.
- It’s versatile, as you can serve it with different accompaniments, such as cheesy garlic bread or waffles.
- It’s suitable for vegetarians and vegans, as it’s made with vegetable stock and dairy-free cream.
Ingredients Needed For James Martin tomato and red pepper soup
For this recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 2 red peppers
- 2 banana shallots, peeled and halved
- 600g ripe plum tomatoes, halved
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 red chilli, sliced
- 50ml olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- 500ml vegetable stock, hot
- 25g butter
- A drizzle of cream, olive oil, or torn basil for serving
For the cheesy garlic bread, you’ll need:
- 4 thick slices of white bread
- 60g garlic butter, softened
- 200g cheddar cheese, grated
For the waffles, you’ll need:
- 250g plain flour
- 1 tbsp caster sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 medium eggs
- 200ml milk
- 100g salted butter, melted
- 200g cheddar cheese, grated
Instructions to Make James Martin Tomato and Red Pepper Soup
Step 1: Roast the peppers, shallots, tomatoes, garlic, and chilli
Preheat the oven to 200°C. Place the peppers over an open gas flame until black all over. Place them in a bowl, cover with cling film, and leave to stand for 1–2 minutes. Remove the peppers from the bowl and peel off the black skin, rinse under a running tap to get the remainder of the skin off. Remove the seeds and set the peppers aside. Place the shallot halves (cut-side down) along with the plum tomatoes, garlic cloves, and chilli onto a baking tray and drizzle with the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and roast for 30 minutes, or until the shallots are cooked.
Step 2: Blend the soup
Melt the butter in a large pan over a medium heat and add the roasted shallots, peppers, garlic, and chilli. Add the hot stock and cook for 5 minutes. Blend with a stick blender until smooth and place back in the pan to warm through. 
Step 3: Make the cheesy garlic bread or waffles
If you want to serve the soup with cheesy garlic bread, toast the bread slightly. Then spread over the garlic butter and top with cheese. Grill until bubbling. If you want to serve the soup with waffles, preheat the waffle machine until hot. Put the flour into a large bowl, then add the sugar, baking powder, salt, eggs, milk, and melted butter. Whisk everything to a dropping consistency. Ladle into the waffle machine – be careful not to overfill. Close the lid and cook for a couple of minutes until golden and crispy. Continue to cook the waffles until you’ve used the mixture. Preheat the grill. Put the waffles on a large baking tray, cover in cheese and grill until golden and bubbling. Cut the waffles into triangles.
Step 4: Serve and enjoy
To serve, ladle the soup into warm bowls, drizzle with cream, olive oil, or basil and serve with the cheesy garlic bread or waffles. Enjoy this hearty and comforting soup with your family or friends.
What Do I Serve With James Martin Tomato and Red Pepper Soup?
You can serve this soup with various options, depending on your preference and appetite. Some of the most popular choices are:- Cheesy garlic bread: This is a classic combination that adds crunch and cheesiness to the soup. You can make your own garlic bread by spreading butter and garlic on slices of bread and topping them with cheese. Then grill them until golden and bubbly.
- Waffles: This is a fun and unexpected way to enjoy the soup. You can make your own waffles by mixing flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, eggs, milk, and butter. Then cook them in a waffle machine until crisp and golden. Sprinkle some cheese on top and grill them until melted. Cut them into triangles and dip them in the soup.
- Salad: This is a light and refreshing option that adds some freshness and crunch to the soup. You can make your own salad by tossing some lettuce, cucumber, tomato, onion, and dressing. You can also add some nuts, seeds, or cheese for extra protein and flavour.
Pro Tips to Make Perfect James Martin Tomato and Red Pepper Soup
To make the best tomato and red pepper soup, follow these tips:- Use ripe and juicy tomatoes and peppers, as they will give the most flavour and colour to the soup.
- Roast the peppers over an open flame or in a hot oven, as this will char and blister the skin, making it easier to peel. It will also add a smoky and sweet flavour to the soup.
- Roast the shallots, tomatoes, garlic, and chilli together, as this will caramelise and soften them, enhancing their natural sweetness and spiciness.
- Blend the soup until smooth, but not too fine, as you want to keep some texture and body to the soup.
- Season the soup well with salt, pepper, and paprika, as this will bring out the flavours and add some warmth and colour to the soup.
- Drizzle some cream, olive oil, or basil on top of the soup, as this will add some richness, freshness, and contrast to the soup.