Recipe(tried): Red Pepper Soup

Unfortunately this is a servings for 2. Could adjust accordingly for 4 or 6 I'm sure.

RED PEPPER SOUP

1 bacon strip
1 large sweet red pepper, chopped
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbs. tomato paste
1/8 tsp. paprika (I use Hungarian)
3 to 4 drops hot pepper sauce
Dash cayenne pepper
1 cup chicken broth, divided
1 tbs. butter or margarine
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
Chives and additional chopped red pepper, optional

In a skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Remove to paper towel to drain. To the drippings, add red pepper, onion and garlic; saute until onion is tender, about 4 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, paprika, hot pepper sauce and cayenne until well blended. Add 1/4 cup broth. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat; cool for 10 minutes. Puree in a blender or food processor; set aside.

In a saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Stir in flour; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Gradually add remaining broth; bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for 2 minutes; reduce heat to low. Gradually stir in cream and salt. Add puree; heat through. Crumble bacon over top. Garnish with chives and red pepper if desired. Serve immediately.

Note: I only used regular pepper as I didn't want it too hot. Also since I cannot leave a recipe alone, I added just a wee bit of white wine and a little more chicken broth.