December 29, 2013

Curry-ginger carrot soup

Hi there - I hope you had a wonderful holiday!  Maybe you're still enjoying the break, kicking your feet up in the comfort of your home?  I like to think that of everyone.  For my part, I'm home savoring the time together with my family.  The thing is...I've realized that while we can't slow down time, we can try to savor it.  So that's just what I'm doing as we look forward to the New Year and embrace that feeling of possibility that comes with it.

Since my attempt at chocolate-champagne truffles was a dud, I drop in today with a simple soup for my last post of the year.  Maybe it's just as well because while I've been enjoying - really thoroughly enjoying - all the treats the season (and our very own kitchen) has to offer, I hit something of a wall a few days ago when my husband brought home some pastries from Francois Payard.  They were delicious and we polished them off (along with some other treats around the house) but I suppose I just had one piece of cake too many and needed a day or two's reprieve*.  Soup is great for that.
Naturally sweet carrot soup balanced by spices from curry powder and fresh ginger
And I have been on a pretty consistent soup kick since September.  I can't get tired of it because I just find a big piping-hot bowl of soup to go so well, and be so welcomed, with just about anything during the cold months.  It's always smart to have healthy, nourishing, ready-to-eat food in the house and I'm so happy when I look in my fridge and suddenly remember I have some soup ready to go.

Sometimes carrot soup can be too sweet.  A particular Thai restaurant I've been to comes to mind - their carrot soup is so sweet, it can't possibly be from carrots alone.  I think someone's dousing the soup with a little sugar, which should be unnecessary in my opinion.  In fact, I like to balance out the natural sweetness of the carrots with spice.  So I enjoy a version like this one where both curry powder and fresh ginger, as well as a little garlic, add a spicy dimension.

You can use vegetable broth for this soup but I like the more savory note in the background from using chicken broth.  I'm thankful for my immersion blender, which I use to puree soups like this one. The carrot soup ends up nice and creamy but light.  It's a lighter alternative to say butternut squash soup, which I have likewise been doctoring with curry powder. Come to think of it, I've been adding curry powder to quite a number of savory dishes!

I think this is the kind of simple food we all welcome in the rapidly-approaching month of January. Personally, I'm for all kinds of eating, in January and any month for that matter - soup included!

* Happily, it didn't take long for me to re-coup from my dessert excesses.  I'm ready for a slice of cake now.  : )


Recipe:

Curry-Ginger Carrot Soup
Based roughly on "Curried Carrot Soup" recipe from Everyday Food: Great Food Fast

- Approximately 6 servings - 

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium to large onion, chopped
2 teaspoons curry powder (sweet or hot, depending on preference)
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
2 gloves of garlic, grated
2 teaspoons coarse salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
3 cups water
2 pounds carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
1 bay leaf
1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice


Heat oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pan over medium-heat.  Add onion, curry powder, ginger, garlic, salt and pepper.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions soften, about 5 minutes.  Add broth, water, carrots, and bay leaf.  Cover the pot and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and let simmer, covered, until carrots soften, about 20-25 minutes.

Let soup cool slightly.  Remove bay leaf and then blend with an immersion blender until completely smooth.  If using a blender, carefully puree in several batches filling the blender no more than halfway each time.  If you need to thin the soup out a bit, add water or more broth.  To finish, add lemon juice and taste, adjusting seasoning as necessary.

Garnish with chives or other herbs, if desired.  In the summer, you could consider serving this soup chilled. 



46 comments:

  1. I had a cookie overloaded Christmas and this soup is exactly what I need now...comforting, light and delicious!
    Happy New Year, Monica.

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    1. I hear you, Angie. I need to balance my dessert-intake with lots of veggies and fruit, and I do. Happy New Year to you and yours!

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  2. Happy, healthy, peace-filled New Year, Monica! I appreciate your reminder to savor the moments. Frequently, I am overwhelmed at the speed of passing time and, you are right, there is nothing I can do to slow it down. Truly noticing, appreciating, and savoring moments along the way does at least helps to create lasting memories. :)
    I love soup in cold weather! The curry and ginger in this soup have to make it especially warming. :) The veggie variation makes it work for my entire family! Thanks!

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    1. Thank you, Wendy. I had been feeling a teeny bit "down" at the thought of time speeding by so fast and not being able to do anything about it. My son is 8 and I wonder how he got so "big" already! Then I just realized such is life and I can simply savor it and enjoy it to the fullest by being as much in the moment as possible - it won't stop time from moving on as quickly as it does but that's okay. : )
      Happy New Year to you and thank you for all your thoughtful comments throughout the year!

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  3. what a nice and comforting soup Monica, i guess crispy bacon topping would made it perfect for my licking.....
    Happy New Year then my friend!!!

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    1. haha - you gave me a great laugh, Dedy! Bacon works for me! My son would likely nab it before I could get to it though. Happy New Year to you!

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  4. This soup sounds like the perfect thing to eat after the insane amount of cookies I have devoured ;--) And the color is gorgeous, oh, and the flavor combo too! I love curry powder :--)
    Hope your Christmas were amazing, and happy new year!

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    1. Thank you, Consuelo. I loved Christmas and I don't want the holiday time to end! I had a ton of treats this past month or so and it'll always be a part of my life (I hope!) but I definitely love myself some soup and good savory eats. : )

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  5. This sounds like the perfect meal for post-Christmas! Hope you had a wonderful holiday, Monica!!

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  6. Isn't it funny how you only really need a days break before you want cake and dessert again?! I never get tired of dessert!!! Love this simple soup, beautiful colour and flavour! Happy New Year, Monica!

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    1. So, so true, Nazneen! I was chuckling about the same thing to my husband because about a day later, I'm ready for a "nibble" of something sweet. So funny! : ) Happy New Year to you and yours!

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  7. What a nice warming soup. Perfect way to end the year. Happy New Year!

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  8. My sweets overload never never lasts long either! Love this carrot soup and I'm like you- like to balance out sweetness with some spice. Happy New Year!

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    1. I'm so glad some of us can relate to this rebound we have for sweets! haha - thank you, Christin! I was almost afraid to admit it. I love a little spice like you, too. : )

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  9. I agree...enjoying the moments with my family is my favorite part of the holidays! And I too have had a bit too much to eat, so this soup looks like a perfect meal to get me back on the healthy eating track. :)
    Have a happy new year!
    Tina at www.tinaschic.com

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    1. I think it's impossible to avoid over-indulging in December. I paced myself but towards the end, it's inevitable to feel like you over did it a bit! Soup and veggies help and then I'm back and ready for my 3-course dinner. : ) Sitting down at the table with family or good friends is definitely one of the best part of life for me.

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  10. I love the sound of this soup! I need a few days of good for me food to balance out all the goodies I ate over the holidays! And then I can be ready to eat more cookies : )

    I actually tried to make champagne truffles too - HUGE flop. They were a disaster! I feel better knowing I'm not alone with that! lol

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    1. I'm so with you, Ashley! And thank you for telling me that about champagne truffles!! What is up with that because all the recipes I've seen use a good amount of champagne and it just seems like way too much and they won't set up enough to roll! My husband refused to let me throw them out so he ate them (over several days)...luckily, I made a tiny handful only. : )

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  11. Hi Monica. Wow, this soup couldn't come at a better time! We're all fighting off a cold here, and I know that this would do our bodies and our souls some good! Thank you so much for sharing with me!

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    1. Feel better. We are all coming down with a touch of something with this weather and all the things going on during this busy season. Take care and Happy New Year!

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  12. Time does seem to fly by so quickly and I'm so glad to hear that you are savoring the holidays with your family :) I love this curry ginger carrot soup. It looks so comforting and sounds perfect especially after all the heavy and indulgent food I've been having lately. Pinned and can't wait to try it once we get settled from all the holiday family visits :) Hope you enjoy the rest of the holidays and wishing you and your sweet family a wonderful 2014 and Happy New Year Monica :) xo

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    1. Hope things settle down for you soon, Kelly, though I know you are enjoying the happy family gatherings. I love all kinds of soups and this is nice and zesty. Happy New Year to you and yours as well!

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  13. What a delicious combination! I love soups with ginger and this sounds great. Have a wonderful new year, Monica!

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    1. I know we share a love of soup, Balvinder! I love using ginger in many things. In Chinese culture, we have dessert soups and ginger is often in the "broth" and I adore the kick from it.
      Happy New Year to you...hope it's healthy, happy, and fulfilling!

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  14. We have a bunch of garden carrots and I've been craving soup so this would be pretty perfect!

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    1. Needless to say, it would be eons better with one's own homegrown carrots! You rock!

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  15. I could so do with a batch of this right now Monica. I too have overindulged and need to cut back on filling bakes! This sounds deliciously warming in flavour. I was very fortunate to receive a Magimix for Christmas...perfect for soups I think :-) Wishing you a Happy New Year!

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    1. The Magimix sounds awesome! Would you believe I never had a blender til about a year ago! And I love it, of course. Happy New Year to you, Jo!

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  16. With single digit temperatures and snow on the way, your carrot soup sounds like a perfect lunch this week.

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    1. Oh yes...big snow storm heading here in the next 24 hours...joy! I'll be happy as long as we're all safe and sound at home. I'm getting ready to make a big pot of soup tomorrow or Friday early morning.

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  17. Hehe I get over my dessert comas pretty quickly too. Happy New Year to you and your family!

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    1. haha - totally! Thanks, Bianca...same to you!

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  18. I definitely need a little sweets cleanse over the next few days. This soup looks like just the thing!

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    1. Just a short break is all you need, Joanne! Have a wonderful 2014!

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  19. I've been overdosed with sweets and feasts, now I need soups like this to make me feel better. Love the color.
    HAPPY NEW YEAR SWEETY!!! Cheers to 2014.

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    1. Thank you, Asha. A great 2014 to you as well!

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  20. I welcome soup anytime, even during the hot months. I can never say no to soups. :) Carrot ginger and curry sounds like a delicious combination Monica so I know I'll love this. I always must have a dunker in my puree soups. Grilled cheese with ham or turkey or some sort of cured meat sounds so good with this. Delicious! Happy New Year my sweet friend! And I look forward to reading more of your delicious posts. :) xoxo

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    1. A dunker is such a beautiful thing. I like the way you think. I never really eat soup alone either...it's great with so many things. Thank you for your sweet comments throughout the year - I truly appreciate it. And I look forward to keeping up with you via your delicious food as well! xo

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  21. So glad you posted this recipe, Monica, because I'm ready to re-start eating healthy after all the holiday treats! This sound delicious...ginger goes so well with carrot! I hope you had a wonderful holiday with your fam :)

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    1. Ginger is a great "secret" ingredient, isn't it, Amy! I have it in my fridge all the time now.

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  22. I've never tried carrot soup with curry flavor and I'm curious to try! Love curry anything so this sounds really good! I think carrot soup tastes better with some spices - looking forward to trying this out!

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    1. I've been adding curry to so many things, Nami. I think it works really well here with ginger to balance the natural sweetness of the carrots. It's nice and light. Thanks for swinging by!

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