Roasted Sweet Corn and Tomato Soup

3 cups fresh corn kernels (about 4 cobs)
10 ounces cherry tomatoes (about 2 cups)
4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
1 red pepper chopped
1-2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 medium onion, any color, diced
32 ounces chicken broth (4 cups)
3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
kosher salt
fresh cracked black pepper
optional: chopped herbs for garnish

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Place corn, tomatoes, pepper, and garlic on a large foil-lined baking sheet.  Drizzle with 2-3 teaspoons olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.  Gently toss with hands and then arrange in an even, flat layer. Use a second pan if necessary. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until tomatoes are crinkled and burst.

While vegetables are roasting, heat a stock pot to medium high heat on stove top.  Add  1-2 teaspoons olive oil and diced onion.  Saute about 5 minutes, or until tender.   Add chicken broth, smoked paprika and chipotle chili powder.  Add a light sprinkling of kosher salt and black pepper (I add about 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few cracks of pepper at this point and then season to taste at the very end.)

When corn and tomatoes and peppers are done roasting, add them to the pot*, making sure to scrape off all of the bits on the pan.  (*If desired, reserve a couple spoonfuls of roasted corn for garnish.)  Bring soup to a low simmer and cover.  Simmer for 20 minutes.  Use an immersion blender, or transfer soup to stand blender and puree until smooth.  Taste, and add additional salt and pepper (and chipotle chili powder if you want a little more heat) to taste.  Divide into bowls and garnish with a sprinkle of smoked paprika, a few corn kernels, and some chopped herbs if desired.

Yields about 6 cups of soup

Adapted from: Our Best Bites