Tomato Soup with Roasted Chickpeas

Ingredients

• 1 red bell pepper, halved lengthwise
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 8 garlic cloves, divided
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 (28-ounce) can no-salt-added whole peeled tomatoes, crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 3/8 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 2 ounces country ham, finely chopped
• 1 (15.5-ounce) can organic chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 2 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted and chopped

Preparation

1. 1. Preheat broiler.
2. 2. Discard seeds and membranes from bell pepper; place, skin sides up, on a foil-lined baking sheet. Broil 8 minutes or until blackened. Seal in a bag; let stand 10 minutes. Peel.
3. 3. Reduce oven to 450°.
4. 4. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 3 garlic cloves; cook 1 minute. Add cream and tomatoes; bring to a simmer. Add paprika, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and ground pepper; simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool for 10 minutes. Combine tomato mixture and bell pepper in a blender; puree.
5. 5. Combine 5 garlic cloves, ham, and chickpeas in a roasting pan; drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil, cumin, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Toss. Roast at 450° for 12 minutes, stirring once. Ladle 3/4 cup soup into each of 4 bowls; top evenly with chickpea mixture, parsley, and almonds.