Creamy Carrot Soup

It’s hard not to eat the carrots raw that we’ve been getting in our share. They’re so tender and sweet that I often eat a few on my way home from the farm. They also take prominent roles in fresh salads and quick stir-fries.

But if you want to try something new, check out my recipe for Carrot and Ginger Soup below. Not only is it healthy because there’s no cream, but it has a secret ingredient – orange juice. The acidity in the juice brightens the carrot flavor but doesn’t make the soup sweet. If it’s just way too hot to eat a warm soup, refrigerate it and serve it cold. Or you can even freeze it for up to 3 months.

Enjoy!

Carrot and Ginger Soup
From the kitchen of Chef Tse

Serves 6

2 pounds carrots, peeled and sliced
4 cups or more chicken broth
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup peeled minced ginger
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed orange juice
6 tablespoons plain yogurt or sour cream
1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
Salt and pepper

Heat olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Add onion and ginger and sauté until transparent. Add chicken stock and carrots. Cover and simmer until carrots are tender, about 25 to 30 minutes.

Working in small batches, puree soup in a blender. Return soup to pot and set over medium heat. Add orange juice and season with salt and pepper. Thin with a little more chicken stock if soup is too thick. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into six bowls and top with yogurt or sour cream (or even crème fraîche if you’re feeling indulgent). Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top and serve.