Red Pepper Soup – Oracibo

Ingredients

• 3 Tbsp. canola oil
• 5 large red bell peppers, cut into 1/2″ pieces
• 2 medium cooking onions, cut into 1/2″ pieces
• 1 celery stalk, sliced into 1/2″ pieces
• 1 carrot, cut into 1/2″ dice
• 8 cups chicken or vegetable stock (see below)
• 1 ½ tsp. fresh thyme or ½ tsp. dried
• 2 tsp. garlic, minced
• ½ cup Thai rice, either brown or white (or regular converted rice)
• 1 – 2 tsp. salt or more to taste
• 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper or to taste
• 1/3 cup sour cream, more if desired
• Chopped cilantro or cilantro sprigs