Cream of Pimiento Soup

If you like pimientos, this is a rich, delicious, elegant soup, great for a first course. I got it many years ago from a Southern Living Magazine.

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 (4 ounce) jar diced pimentos (do not drain)
• 2 1⁄2 tablespoons flour
• 2  tablespoons butter
• 1 (14 1/2ounce) can chicken broth (or homemade)
• 1 1⁄2 cups half-and-half
• 2  teaspoons  grated onions
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon  hot sauce
• 2  teaspoons  finely chopped fresh parsley

Directions

1. Place the pimientos, with the juice, in the container of an electric blender.
2. Process until smooth, stopping once to scrape down the sides.
3. Set the pimiento mixture aside.
4. Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat.
5. Add flour& stir until mixture is smooth.
6. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
7. Add chicken broth& half and half gradually to flour mixture, and continue cooking over medium heat, stirring constantly, until broth mixture is thickened and bubbly.
8. Stir in the reserved pimiento puree, onion, salt& hot sauce.
9. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thoroughly heated.
10. Sprinkle each serving in the middle with about 1/2 tsp.
11. fresh chopped parsley.
12. Makes 3 3/4 cups, enough to serve 4.