Saffron Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Heat broiler to high. Line a baking sheet with foil. Arrange red peppers on sheet skin side up and broil about 4 inches from heat until skin is very charred, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven and wrap peppers in foil to steam skin loose, 10 to 15 minutes. Peel off skin and coarsely chop flesh.

2. Step 2

   In a 4-quart saucepan, heat olive oil. Add onion, 3 thyme sprigs, bay leaf and salt. Cover and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 10 minutes. Add sweet potatoes, bell peppers, stock, 2 cups water and saffron and bring to a boil. Uncover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.

3. Step 3

   Discard thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Using an immersion blender, purée soup. Taste and add salt if needed, and white pepper. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with leaves from remaining thyme sprigs and a drizzle of olive oil.