Recipe for Carrot Soup with Orange or Ginger

2 Easy Orange Thyme and Spicy Ginger Carrot Soup Recipes

© Heather Zorzini

Oct 3, 2009

Carrots, fennel, parsnips and the plant Queen Anne’s lace all belong to the same botanical family of Umbelliferae. The carrot, Daucus carota is a familiar and economical root vegetable that is available fresh year round. Carrots are native to the area now known as Afghanistan and the wild and cultivated varieties have probably been harvested for over 2,000 years.

How to Buy Carrots

If the lacy green carrot tops look fresh, then the carrot is as well. Choose straight, unbroken specimens of uniform small-to-medium size. Large carrots can be woody and crooked carrots can be difficult to peel.

How to Store Carrots

Carrots keep well for 7-10 days in the refrigerator. Remove the carrot tops, which can rob nutrition and moisture and store the roots in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer.

Nutrition & Health Benefits of Carrots

Carrots are an excellent source of beta carotene. They also contain folacin and fibre. To retain more nutrition, scrub, rather than peel carrots. One average raw carrot is a dieter’s dream, containing only 30 calories.

Preparing Soup with a Hand-Held Blender or Food Processor

Pureeing soup is a simple way to meld the flavours and create a uniform texture. Use a hand-held blender right in the sauce pan for quick clean up.

Easy Carrot Orange Soup Recipe

Blending to a slightly chunky texture will give the soup a casual quality while a smoother consistency is perfectly suited to an elegant dinner menu.

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 3 cups sliced carrots
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 Tbsp fresh lemon thyme leaves or 1 tsp dried
• 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
• Few sprigs of fresh parsley, chopped
• Plain yogurt or sour cream for garnish

Directions:

1. In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, warm oil. Add sliced carrots and onions, cover and cook till softened, about 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Add chicken broth and fresh or dried thyme. Bring to a boil over high heat.
3. Lower heat, cover and simmer for 15-20 min or until carrots are tender.
4. Let cool slightly and puree. Add orange juice and gently reheat.

Before serving, top each bowl with a dollop of plain yogurt or sour cream and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Quick Ginger Carrot Soup Recipe

Ginger adds a spicy zing to this simple and delicious carrot soup recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 5 cups chicken broth
• 2 ½ cups sliced carrots
• ¼ cup long grain white rice
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and freshly ground pepper for seasoning

Directions:

1. In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, melt butter. Sauté onion and garlic until tender.
2. Add ginger and sauté briefly.
3. Add chicken broth, carrots and rice. Bring to the boil. Cover and simmer 20 to 25 minutes.
4. Let cool slightly before pureeing with a hand-held blender or food processor till smooth.

Stir in chopped fresh parsley and season with salt and ground pepper to taste. Makes 4 servings of ginger carrot soup. This recipe freezes well.

More Easy and Delicious Carrot Recipes

Oven-baked carrots and parsnips are a healthy and tasty alternative to french fries.

Resource Credits

This article was researched using The Cook's Book by Howard Hillmand and information form Foodland Ontario, a government of Ontario agency.

Carrots for Ginger Carrot Soup Recipe

Carrots are high in nutrition

Carrots have health benefits

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