March 29, 2012
This spicy Moroccan carrot soup is the perfect way to highlight the baby spring carrots are beginning to appear in farmers markets. Slices of carrots are sauteed with onions in sweet butter for a few minutes until broth is added. Once the vegetables are tender, the soup is pureed and spices are added. The carrot soup is then topped with a cumin spiced cream and garnished with a few fresh coriander leaves. Serve slices of warm flat bread with this rich and comforting carrot soup.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 pound large carrots, peeled, cut in ½- inch dice (about 2 ⅔ cups)
2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken stock*
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin seeds
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon allspice
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup sour cream, crème fraiche, or plain yogurt, optional for garnish
Directions:
Melt butter in a large sauce pan over medium-high heat. Add onion; saute for 2 minutes. Mix in carrots and broth. Bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until carrots are very tender, about 20 minutes.
Stir cumin seeds in a small skillet over medium-high heat until fragrant, about 4 – 5 minutes. Finely grind in a spice mill.
Remove soup from heat. Puree in batches in a blender until smooth. Return to sauce pan. Whisk in honey, lemon juice and allspice. Season with salt and pepper.
Ladle soup into bowl. Sprinkle with toasted cumin, or mix cumin and sour cream in a small bowl and dollop on top. Serve.
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