Chef's Corner: Piquillo Pepper and Chickpea Soup with Chicken (or Shrimp)

Off-the-shelf items can make a dynamite weeknight meal (or a fancy party first course) that goes together in minutes. Everything here can be gotten pre-prepared (even white rice!). Of course, use 'from scratch' as desired (we had a chicken breast in the freezer, ready for cooking). We took the elements of a recipe in Food and Wine Magazine and adapted it to our tastes. Great all year round, but particularly warming on a cold or rainy night.

Serves 3- 4 as an appetizer or 2 as a light meal, perhaps with a nice salad. We enjoyed a little garlic bread on the side.

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Piquillo Pepper and Chickpea Soup with Chicken (or Shrimp)

• 3/4 cup jarred roasted red bell (preferrably piquillo) peppers, drained, about 6 ounces

• 1/4 cup thin strips of oil-packed sun dried tomatoes or jarred roasted red bells (preferably piquillos)

• 3/4 cup hummus, about 7 ounces

• 2 cups chicken or beef stock

• 1 tsp rice wine vinegar or 3/4 tsp white wine vinegar

• 1/4 tsp sugar

• 1/2 cup white rice, cooked.

• 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken or small cooked shrimps, warmed

• Salt & freshly ground pepper

• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro or flat-leaf parsley

• Oil from oil packed sun-dried tomatoes or olive oil (preferably extra virgin), for drizzling

• Hot sauce, for serving (optional)

Piquillo peppers are smaller and meatier than regular red bell peppers. They have a wonderful flavor. We like to cook chicken breasts on a cast-iron stove-top grill pan. Store-bought rotisserie chicken is a great alternative for this quick and easy soup.

In a blender or a food processor, combine the whole red peppers with the hummus and stock and puree until smooth. Transfer to a medium saucepan. Add the vinegar, sugar and rice, season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. If you like, cook down slightly for a thicker soup. This can be done in advance and stored in the refrigerator which will also help thicken it up a bit.

Ladle hot soup into bowls. Top with the chicken or shrimp and sliced sun-dried tomatoes or red peppers. Garnish with the cilantro or parsley. Drizzle with oil from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes or olive oil (extra virgin preferred). Also, drizzle with hot sauce if desired.

WINE SUGGESTION: A French or California grown Grenache from what some have called the 'more compelling' French clones is our choice.