Carrot Soup

This is a classic winter carrot soup that can be served as a side or with your favorite sandwich. The recipe contains options to enhance the carrot flavor by adding carrot juice and candied ginger. You can change it up by adding coconut milk and Thai flavors for added variety.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes

Serves 6

Ingredients

2 tablespoon unsalted butter

2 small onions, diced

1 -2 minced garlic cloves

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and grated

1 tablespoon local honey

3 pounds organic carrots, washed, scrubbed and sliced ¼ inch thick

6 cups water

¼ teaspoon thyme

½ teaspoon  baking soda

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

1. Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions, fresh ginger, garlic, and salt.

2. Cook, stirring frequently, until onions are softened but not browned, 5 minutes.

3. Increase heat to high; add carrots, water, thyme, and baking soda and bring to simmer.

4. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until carrots are very tender, 20 to 25 minutes.

5. Process soup with an immersion blender until smooth. If using a counter top blender, process small quantities at a time following manufacture guidance on liquid levels

6. Return to simmer over medium heated vinegar and season with salt and pepper to taste. 

7. Serve

Make it your own

Add ¼ cup crystallized ginger, minced, step 1

Add a courtly chopped apple, step 3

Optional liquids in step 3

Add 2 cups carrot juice and reduce water to 4 cups

Add 2 cups coconut milk and reduce water to 4 cups (goes great with the Thai option below)

Add ¼ cup sour cream, step 7

Garnish with ¼ cup chopped chives or cilantro, step 7

For Thai flavors add the following at step 5

1/3 cup creamy or crunchy salted natural peanut butter

1 teaspoon of your favorite hot sauce or to taste

Garnish with fresh basil or cilantro

Roasted Carrot Option

1. Place sliced carrots on the baking sheet

2. Coat with 2 tablespoons olive oil and ½ teaspoon of the salt.

3. Arrange them in a single layer.

4. Roast the carrots until they’re easily pierced through by a fork, 15 minutes

5. Add to sautéed onions in step 3

InstaPot Instructions

Using the 'Manual' mode, set the pot to 6 mins and press start. The pot will beep to indicate completion, quick release the steam and remove the lid.  Go to step 3 above