| 1. | Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Lightly spray a roasting pan with cooking spray. |
| 2. | Place peppers, carrots, shallots, and garlic in a roasting pan. Lightly spray vegetables with cooking spray. Roast for 20 minutes. Using tongs, turn peppers over. Add pears to the roasting pan and continue to bake for another 10 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately place peppers in a paper bag for 10 minutes to sweat. Wash off the blackened skin under cold running water. Remove seeds and core. |
| 3. | Place peppers, shallots, garlic, and pear in the work bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Process until smooth. |
| 4. | Transfer mixture to a heavy saucepan. Blend in chicken broth and hot pepper sauce. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes. Taste and add salt (if using) and pepper. |
| 5. | Ladle into 4 soup bowls. Serve hot. |