| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 1 hour 10 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 295 | 24g | 11g | 19g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 10g | 3g | 4g | 0.40g |
Every time I prepare the Spicy Alligator Pepper Tomato Soup, I am reminded of my childhood, when my mother would make soups infused with the flavors of Nigeria. The smells wafting from the kitchen created a bridge that connected my Nigerian roots to the mirth-filled suburbs of Atlanta. This soup takes me back, yet propels me forward with its blend of Afro-Southern fusion, a cuisine I’ve championed.
The Afro-Southern Fusion Touch
This vibrant Spicy Alligator Pepper Tomato Soup brims with the warmth of sun-drenched Atlanta and the fiery boldness of Nigeria. It encapsulates the essence of my cooking style: Southern hospitality meets a West African spice cupboard. The taste is both exotically African and comfortingly Southern, much like a Nigerian Goat Stew or a classic Southern Tomato Soup.
Healthy Meets Tasty
However, indulging in this zesty soup is more than just for the taste. The bowl of Spicy Alligator Pepper Tomato Soup, beyond its engaging flavors, is plentiful with health benefits. Tomatoes are well known for their high content of antioxidants, which support heart health. Further, alligator pepper, a prized spice in West African cooking, is traditionally used for its anti-inflammatory properties. But, a recipe isn’t merely a sum of its nutritional parts—it’s a combination of colors, aromas, flavors, and memories churning together into a feast for the senses.
While the recipe can stand on its own, it also pairs deliciously with hearty mains. For some Afro-Southern inspiration, I suggest serving it with a side of Catfish Pecan with Spiced Rice or Classic Southern Cornbread.
In essence, this soup is a homage to my ancestry and my upbringing wrapped up in a bowl; it’s my culinary voice, and I hope you’ll relish every spoonful.
What You’ll Need
- 6 large ripe tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 red onions, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons Alligator pepper, crushed
- 2 red bell peppers, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
Method
Step One
Start by washing your tomatoes and cutting an “x” on the bottom of each. Boil some water in a large pot and blanch the tomatoes for a minute. Remove tomatoes and immediately place them in a bowl of ice water for quick cooling. Once they’re cool, peel off the skin and chop tomatoes, discarding seeds.
Step Two
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent. This usually takes around 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until it becomes fragrant.
Step Three
Add the chopped tomatoes, vegetable broth, crushed Alligator pepper, diced bell peppers, tomato paste and red pepper flakes to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil before reducing the heat to let it simmer until the vegetables are tender. This typically takes around 20 minutes.
Step Four
Next, blend the soup until smooth using a blender or immersion blender. If you prefer your soup with some texture, feel free to leave some chunks.
Step Five
Return the blended soup back to the pot over medium heat and stir in the black pepper, salt and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Cook for about 5 minutes before removing from heat.
Step Six
Finally, stir in the chopped fresh basil, parsley and heavy cream. Serve your Spicy Alligator Pepper Tomato Soup warm, garnished with a little extra cream and fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy your homemade exotic soup!
