Velvety Carrot and Coriander Fusion Soup
Indulge in the warming, velvety texture of this Carrot and Coriander Fusion Soup, a delightful blend of fresh carrots, aromatic spices, and vibrant herbs. This nourishing dish features simple RSC-approved components that can be transformed into a vegan delight by omitting the cream and butter. Whether served steaming hot for a cozy meal or at room temperature as a refreshing appetizer, this soup will enchant your palate with its delicate balance of sweetness and spice. Perfect for gatherings or a comforting dinner, it pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or a light salad.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
vegetable oil or butter
2 ounces (for cooking)
carrots
2 lbs (peeled and sliced)
red onion
1 large (peeled and chopped)
coriander seed
1/2 teaspoon (crushed)
ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon (for seasoning)
mace
1/2 teaspoon (for seasoning)
brown sugar
2 teaspoons (for sweetness)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
lemon juice
4 teaspoons (for brightness)
vegetable stock
8-10 cups (adjust according to desired thickness)
pearl barley
3 tablespoons (for texture)
heavy cream
1 1/3 cups (optional, for a richer soup)
cilantro
1/2 cup (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil or butter over medium heat until shimmering.
2
Add the sliced carrots and chopped red onion to the pot. Stir well to coat with the oil/butter, then cover and let them sweat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3
Stir in the crushed coriander seeds, ground coriander, and mace. Cook for an additional minute, ensuring the spices are well incorporated and fragrant.
4
Pour in 6 cups of vegetable stock and add the brown sugar, salt, pepper, and pearl barley. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 30-40 minutes, or until the carrots and barley are tender.
5
Once cooked, carefully transfer the soup to a food processor and blend until smooth. You may need to do this in batches to ensure a creamy consistency.
6
Return the blended soup to the pot, and stir in the remaining 2-4 cups of vegetable stock, adjusting the thickness to your preference. If using, fold in the heavy cream and gently heat through without boiling.
7
Serve hot or at room temperature, garnished generously with chopped cilantro.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Velvety Carrot and Coriander Fusion Soup?
It is a nourishing, warming dish that combines fresh carrots, aromatic spices like mace and coriander, and vibrant herbs into a velvety texture.
How can I make this soup vegan?
You can easily transform this soup into a vegan delight by using vegetable oil instead of butter and omitting the heavy cream.
What are the primary ingredients needed?
The main components include 2 lbs of carrots, a large red onion, vegetable stock, pearl barley, coriander seeds, and ground coriander.
How much carrot is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 pounds of carrots, which should be peeled and sliced before cooking.
What kind of onion works best for this soup?
A large red onion, peeled and chopped, is recommended to provide a savory base for the flavors.
Why is pearl barley included in the recipe?
Pearl barley is added to the soup to provide a unique texture and added nourishment.
How much vegetable stock should I use?
You will need between 8 to 10 cups of vegetable stock, using 6 cups during the initial simmer and the rest to adjust thickness later.
What spices are used to flavor the soup?
The soup is flavored with crushed coriander seeds, ground coriander, and mace for an aromatic spice profile.
How long do the carrots and barley need to simmer?
The mixture should be covered and simmered for 30 to 40 minutes, or until both the carrots and barley are tender.
What is the recommended method for blending the soup?
Carefully transfer the cooked soup to a food processor and blend until smooth, doing so in batches if necessary to ensure a creamy consistency.
Is the heavy cream a required ingredient?
No, the heavy cream is optional and can be used to create a richer, more indulgent soup.
How should the coriander seeds be prepared?
The 1/2 teaspoon of coriander seeds should be crushed before being added to the pot.
At what temperature should the soup be served?
This versatile soup can be served either steaming hot for a cozy meal or at room temperature as a refreshing appetizer.
What is a good garnish for this dish?
The soup should be garnished generously with 1/2 cup of chopped fresh cilantro.
Does this soup use any citrus?
Yes, 4 teaspoons of lemon juice are added to provide brightness to the final flavor profile.
What is the purpose of sweating the vegetables?
Sweating the carrots and onions for 5 minutes allows them to soften and release their natural sweetness before adding the stock.
Can I substitute the vegetable oil?
Yes, you can use 2 ounces of either vegetable oil or butter for cooking the initial vegetables.
What side dishes pair well with this soup?
This soup pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or a light salad for a complete meal.
Is there any sugar in this recipe?
The recipe includes 2 teaspoons of brown sugar to help balance the spices and enhance the carrots' sweetness.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 14 ingredients used in this recipe, including garnishes and seasonings.
What should I do after blending the soup?
Return the blended soup to the pot and stir in the remaining vegetable stock and optional heavy cream, then heat gently.
How do I prevent the cream from curdling?
When adding the heavy cream, heat the soup gently and avoid letting it come to a boil.
What tags describe this recipe?
This recipe is tagged as a soup, vegan option, healthy, comfort food, and family-friendly.
How much mace is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of mace for seasoning.
Is this recipe suitable for families?
Yes, it is described as a family-friendly and easy recipe that is perfect for gatherings.
How long should the spices be cooked before adding stock?
The spices should be stirred in and cooked for an additional minute until they are fragrant.
Can I adjust the thickness of the soup?
Yes, by adjusting the final addition of vegetable stock (2-4 cups), you can reach your preferred consistency.
What preparation is needed for the carrots?
The carrots should be peeled and sliced before being added to the pot.
Is this a spicy soup?
It features a delicate balance of sweetness and spice from coriander and mace, but it is not traditionally 'hot' spicy.
Can this soup be an appetizer?
Absolutely, it works perfectly as a refreshing appetizer when served at room temperature.