Spring Carrot Soup Recipes

CREAMY ROASTED CARROT SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup, if desired.
• To prepare your carrots, peel them and then cut them on the diagonal so each piece is about ½″ thick at the widest part (see photos).
• Place the carrots on the baking sheet. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Toss until the carrots are lightly coated in oil and seasonings. Arrange them in a single layer.
• Roast the carrots until they're caramelized on the edges and easily pierced through by a fork, 25 to 40 minutes, tossing halfway. (Heirloom carrot varieties will roast in as little as 25 minutes, but regular carrots are more dense and typically require 35 to 40 minutes.)
• Once the carrots are almost done roasting, in a Dutch oven or soup pot, warm the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and ¼ teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and turning translucent, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add the garlic, coriander and cumin (if following a variation, see recipe notes for additions). Cook until fragrant while stirring constantly, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Pour in the vegetable broth and water, while scraping up any browned bits on the bottom with a wooden spoon or sturdy silicone spatula.
• Add the roasted carrots to the pot when they are out of the oven. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook for 15 minutes, to give the flavors time to meld.
• Once the soup is done cooking, remove the pot from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, carefully transfer the hot soup to a blender, working in batches if necessary. (Do not fill past the maximum fill line or the soup could overflow!)
• Add the butter, lemon juice (or lime, if following the Thai variation), and several twists of black pepper. Blend until completely smooth. Add additional salt and pepper if necessary, to taste. Add another tablespoon of butter if you'd like more richness, or a little more lemon juice if it needs more zing. Blend again, and serve.
• This soup keeps well in the refrigerator, covered, for about four days, or for several months in the freezer.

EASY CARROT SOUP

Steps:

• Steam carrots until tender.
• In a blender or food processor, combine cooked carrots and 3/4 cup broth. Blend until smooth. Set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, parsley, basil, and red pepper flakes. Add half-and-half cream all at once. Cook and stir until slightly thickened and bubbly. Stir in carrot mixture and remaining broth. Season with salt and black pepper. Thin with milk or water if needed.

CARROT SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the onion, and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the carrots, and cook until very tender, about 15 minutes. Do not brown. Add the carrot juice, stock, cumin, honey, salt, and white pepper. Bring to a simmer, and cook until vegetables are very soft, about 30 minutes.
• Remove from heat, and cool slightly. Puree in batches in a blender or food processor, filling no more than halfway. Return to pan, and warm over low heat, thinning with stock or water if needed. Stir in half-and-half, if using. Garnish with chives and cayenne, and serve.