Round 2, challenge 12, Tim Schmitt
I picked up my ingredients and was instructed to make a vegetarian soup using organic pear juice and red chile peppers. I love to make soup and thought this would be a great challenge. With the fall season upon us, I knew I wanted to make a hearty vegetable soup. I went to the store and stood in the produce department and selected fresh ingredients that I thought would marry well with the mystery ingredients. I selected guajillo chilies because they are not too hot but do give a bit of a kick. For the pear juice, I used organic pear juice provided by Whole Foods Market. The combination of vegetable stock, water and pear juice came together wonderfully. By stirring in the crème fraîche after serving, it creates a broth that is a perfect balance with the hearty vegetables. Toasting the peppers before boiling them brings out their natural flavor. Adding garlic toasted croutons is the icing on the cake. My tasters all really liked my dish and I think it is a first-rate fall soup. Round 2 was a fantastic experience. My next goal is the live cook-off Nov. 2. Bring it on.
- Mary J. Insprucker