Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 pounds (about 4 cups) fresh carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or olive oil
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Vegetables:
- Start by peeling and chopping the carrots and onion. Mince the garlic as well.
2. Sauté Vegetables:
- In a large pot, heat the butter or olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until they become translucent.
3. Add Carrots:
- Add the chopped carrots to the pot and sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes.
4. Season:
- Stir in the ground cumin, ground ginger, and ground coriander. Sauté for about a minute to toast the spices and enhance their flavors.
5. Add Broth:
- Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth, ensuring that the carrots are fully covered. Bring the mixture to a boil.
6. Simmer:
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the carrots are tender and easily pierced with a fork.
7. Blend:
- Using an immersion blender, carefully blend the soup until it’s smooth and creamy. Alternatively, you can transfer the soup in batches to a blender and blend until smooth. Be cautious when blending hot liquids.
8. Adjust Consistency:
- If the soup is too thick for your liking, you can add additional broth to achieve your preferred consistency.
9. Season and Add Cream:
- Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. If you’d like a creamier texture, stir in the heavy cream at this stage. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes to warm through.
10. Serve:
- Ladle the carrot soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives, if desired.
11. Enjoy your homemade carrot soup! It’s a comforting and healthy option for a warm meal, and it can be served as an appetizer or a main course.
Feel free to adjust the seasonings and consistency to suit your taste. You can also add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt as a garnish for an extra layer of flavor.