Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup- Vegan, Oil-Free, Gluten-Free

I have been in love with a particular brand of organic Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato soup for a long time but was rather embarrassed to see that it is not vegan (I am) and hadn't noticed!  So, I found a number of vegan roasted red pepper and tomato soup recipes online and began to improvize with what I had around here and with what I hoped would be a fairly close replication of the store-bought soup that I love so much.

Here is the recipe for vegan Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup I finally settled on.  I may do some more improvisations of it.  Let me know what you think and if/how you made changes! 

INGREDIENTS

1 can/796ml/26oz           Organic Crushed Tomatoes 
1 medium                        Organic Yellow Onion, chopped
1/4 C.                               Water or Vegetable Broth
1 small                             Organic Head of Garlic
3 Large                            Organic Bell Peppers (not Green)
1 tsp./15 g                        Paprika
                                          Salt, Pepper to taste
1/2 C.                                Water 
2 tsp.                                 Balsamic Vinegar   
                                           Almond or Coconut Milk, as desired

METHOD:

PEPPERS

1. Preheat oven to 500F/205C  Place oven rack in the highest slot to roast the vegetables
2. Cover roasting pan bottom (no lid) with parchment paper
3. You can watch the following video from the American Culinary Society if you are a little timid.  I use full, uncut peppers or you might want to cut and cut out seeds (as shown in video)
4. Place washed peppers on the pan (I do not use oil, but you can if you want-- watch the video for more information).  Roast for about 20 minutes.  Let cool.  Remove skin (and seeds if you haven't done so).   

ONIONS & GARLIC

1. Place Garlic into a small pieces of aluminum foil, twist shut.  
2. Spread Onion on pan and put garlic in the middle
3. Roast as you did peppers, but maybe check in about 10-15 minutes to make sure they aren't too dried up
4. Remove and cool.     

THE SOUP

1. Roughly chop Peppers and put them with all other ingredients into a soup pot over medium heat.  Stir until everything is softened and homogeneous (smooth and different ingredients aren't really identifiable-- looks like a nice lumpy red sauce and the onions, etc. are soft.)  
2. Using an immersion blender, blend everything smooth.  If you don't have an immersion blender, use your regular blender and whirl up the soup.
3. Serve in individual bowls with a circle of Almond or Coconut Milk, and a garnish of green onion or  parsley.  
4. Enjoy!  Pour leftover soup into a mason jar and enjoy the next day (makes about 6 bowls).