Red Pepper and Fennel Soup

• 6 large red bell peppers
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 8 medium carrots, coarsely chopped
• 2 medium fennel bulbshalved, cored and coarsely chopped, leafy tops reserved
• 2 medium leeks, white and tender green, coarsely chopped
• 1 small Spanish onion, coarsely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 2 tablespoons Pernod (optional)
• 4 fresh thyme sprigs
• 1 teaspoon fennel seed
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh basil
• 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1. Roast the bell peppers directly over a gas flame or under the broiler, turning, until charred.
2. Transfer to a paper bag and let steam for 15 minutes.
3. Peel the peppers, discarding the cores, ribs and seeds; coarsely chop the peppers.
4. Heat the olive oil in a large non-reactive saucepan.
5. Add the carrots, fennel, leeks, onion and garlic and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened but not browned, about 8 minutes.
6. Add the peppers, white wine, Pernod, thyme, fennel seeds and 4 cups of water and season with salt and pepper.
7. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer until the vegetables are soft, about 40 minutes.
8. Transfer the soup to a blender and blend until smooth.
9. Season with salt and pepper.
10. Stir in the basil and parsley and thin with a little water if the soup is thick.
11. Serve the soup warm, at room temperature or chilled, garnished with the leafy fennel tops

red bell peppers, olive oil, carrots, fennel bulbshalved, leeks, onion, garlic, white wine, thyme, fennel seed, salt, fresh basil, parsley

Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/red-pepper-and-fennel-soup (may not work)