Spiced Carrot Soup

Warming soups are healthy and welcome at this time of year, and this Spiced Carrot Soup inspired by Diana Henry’s version won’t disappoint! The triad of garlic, cumin and ginger paired with the sweetness of the carrots, makes for a delectable dish which will leave your taste buds tingling with a hint of spice.

We always have the next party in mind, and we wanted to show you a fun way of serving soup for a gathering. It’s the same soup, whether you’re having it for lunch or an elegant appetizer, it’s all in the presentation. Now it’s just up to you to decide if you’re going to share or keep it all for yourself!

This takes less than 15 minutes of active kitchen time, and it can made ahead and frozen.

This recipe serves 6 for lunch, or 24 for appetizers.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 cup onion, chopped

• 1 celery stick, chopped

• 1-1/2 lb. carrots (10-12 carrots), washed, tops cut off, and chopped into discs - no need to peel!

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 heaped tablespoon ginger, freshly grated (you can add more if you really love it!)

• 2 teaspoons ground cumin

• 6 cups chicken stock

• 1 bay leaf

• salt & pepper to taste

Garnish & Sides:

• sour cream or creme fraiche

• cilantro

• Danish Rye Bread

In a large sturdy soup pot, warm the olive oil over medium heat and add the onion, celery and carrots. Stir them around for 5-10 minutes whilst you prepare the other ingredients. Add the garlic, ginger, cumin, 1/2 a teaspoon of salt, 1/4 a teaspoon of pepper, chicken stock, and the bay leaf.

Bring the soup to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the carrots are tender. Remove from the heat, and remove the bay leaf. The safest way to blend a soup is with a hand-held immersion blender. If you prefer to cool it down before blending you can, re-heating this soup won’t do it any harm, and it’s one of those things that just tastes even better the next day. Season with more salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with a dab of sour cream and a sprig of cilantro whether you're having a hearty bowl or a dainty cup. Add a few slices of your favorite bread, such as the Danish Rye Bread from the West Side Eatery in Red Bank, NJ, and enjoy!