In a large soup pot or dutch oven heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Add the garlic and saute until light golden and then add the onions and saute until tender.
Add the tomato paste and incorporate into the oil
Add the Fire Roasted tomatoes and the sugar, stir and simmer.
Slice the roasted red peppers and add to the pot.
Add the chicken stock, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
With an immersion blender or in a blender pulsate and puree this mixture.
Simmer for another 10 minutes and then add the half & half or heavy cream.
Allow the soup to come up to a slow boil over medium heat.
Grate the smoked gouda into the soup.
Also don't forget to make a sammie or panini by spreading olive oil over two slices of tuscan bread and add the provolone cheese, grill in a panini maker or a make shift panini maker on the stove top! :)
Recipe by Julia's Child at http://juliaschild.com/roasted-red-pepper-tomato-smoked-gouda-soup/