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Are you getting ready to move on? It's that time, you know, and we're here to help.
I know, I know.... It's hard to think that the carefree summer days of sand, sun, cook-outs, s'mores, beaches, hot dogs, swimsuits, flip flops, etc. are relegated to "days gone by", right? But cheer up! Think of all the fun that's ahead; cool, crisp evenings, jewel-hued trees, long, lazy walks on leaf-strewn paths, pumpkin patches, candy corn, v's of geese honking their way south, fires in the hearth ... and SOUP!
Whoops! I almost forgot the fun and fabulous garnish/topping; crispy golden bacon bits, a tiny julienne of green apple, a handful of roughly chopped cashews and a scatter of fresh thyme leaves. That's all it takes for a lovely and delicious adornment.
A soup like this Coconut Curry Carrot and Apple Soup is the perfect way to slip into this lovely season. So go ahead, shed a tiny tear and bid the summer of 2013 farewell, then skip and jump for joy as you make the passage into fall by whipping up a batch of this delicious soup. Serve it in
small, fancy dishes as a delightful appetizer course or in larger soup bowls with crusty, warm bread for a complete meal.
- For the soup:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 ½ teaspoons ginger
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic
- 1 teaspoon lemongrass paste
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 2 teaspoons mild curry
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 tablespoon red curry paste
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
- 1 pound carrots peeled and coarsely chopped (or use a 1 pound bag of baby carrots)
- 1 medium onion coarsely chopped
- 1 medium yellow bell pepper seeds removed, and coarsely chopped
- 2 medium apples cored and coarsely chopped (I used Gala, but Golden Delicious or your favorite cooking apple would work as well)
- 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 can coconut milk
- For the topping/garnish:
- 4 strips bacon sliced into ¼ inch pieces
- ½ medium Granny Smith apple cored and julienne-cut into tiny 1 inch strips
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ¼ cup coarsely chopped cashews
- fresh thyme leaves for garnish
-
In a large pot over medium-low heat, melt the butter and sauté the garlic, ginger and lemongrass just until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the coriander, curry powder, cumin, curry paste and brown sugar and cook another 30 seconds. Add carrots, onion, bell pepper and apple and continue cooking until veggies start to soften, about 5 more minutes.
-
Add salt and chicken broth to the pot and increase the heat. Bring the soup to a boil and then reduce to a low, constant simmer. Cook for about 25-30 minutes or until veggies are very soft and tender. Add coconut milk and simmer for another 5 minutes.
-
Purée the soup until smooth using either a regular blender or an immersion (stick) blender. If using a regular blender, let the soup cool down a bit before blending. Then purée in batches to prevent the soup from splattering. You can also remove the center piece of the blender lid and place a clean dishtowel or paper towel over the opening while blending. This will allow the steam to escape and prevent spattering.
-
While soup is simmering, prepare the topping. Cook bacon in a small pot until deep, golden brown and crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on several thicknesses of paper towels to drain.
-
Pour off all but 1 teaspoon of the bacon fat and discard. Add apple to pan and cook over medium low heat for a minute or two until just slightly softened. Add brown sugar, bacon and cashews and cook for another 30 seconds.
-
Place a tablespoon of topping in a shallow bowl. Gently ladle soup around topping. Add a bit more of the apple topping to create a small mound on top of soup. Serve immediately.
Nippon Nin says
This is great for chilly autumn night. I love your photos and nice presentation.
www.you-made-that.com says
Loving this soup, it sounds terrific! I think I may just have most of the ingredients so I need to try it out.
ivy sew http://simplybeautifulhealthyliving.blogspot.com says
Hi, this is so beautiful and tempting. Oh Yeah, love your wooden bowl and spoon, hahaha... Glad to know your blog and cheers 🙂
Lisa {Authentic Suburban Gourmet } says
So loving the impending fall season. You nailed this soup. Your photos are simply lovely!
easyfoodsmith says
That soup bowl seems to be calling my name ;-P
Love your simple yet lovely styling.
Vicki Bensinger says
This reminds me of my squash soup so velvety and smooth with many of the ingredients resembling Mulligatawny soup. Looks wonderful! I'm printing this off.
Sophia Del Gigante says
PERFECT for Autumn, LOVE it!!! Yum!
Carolyn says
This looks phenomenal. There's a little nip in the air here this morning and this would be a perfect dinner!
Sandra Lee says
Hello Autumn!!
Amy says
SO excited to make this perfect fall soup! We will make it and think of you while we enjoy xoxo
Chris Scheuer says
🙂 hope you enjoy it sweet friend!
Beth says
I'm vacillating between summer and fall recipes right now - which is a huge advantage of this time of year! The soup looks great, especially those lovely toppings.
Kitchen Riffs says
Love the garnish on the soup! It looks super, but then the whole recipe looks super. I'm definitely ready to move on - thanks for the inspiration!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love homemade soup in the fall. This is packed full of fabulous flavors!
Kim G. says
I'm ready for fall recipes and I have to say, your soup looks perfect!
GLENDA CHILDERS says
A perfect soup for September. Thanks for the great recipe, Chris.
Happy Fall.
Fondly,
Glenda
Ginny says
Too, too perfect for fall! And really as a picture to hang on the kitchen wall in the fall!!! I LOVE the bowl and had NO idea that you can put hot soup in a wooden bowl!!! Doesn't it warp?
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
This sure looks like a Fall soup, can't wait to taste it!
Gloria Baker says
Look perfect and delicious and I love your bowl soup beautiful!
The Mom Chef says
Wow....yes, you do know how to bring in fall! I love this soup. I have to admit that I especially love the topping. Yes, the bacon, but I'm thinking more of the julienned apple with the curry and carrot. Swoon.
Pondside says
Oh my goodness - could you just please send this directly? I don't think I can wait!
AdriBarr says
What a beautiful soup! You had me as soon as your page came up and I saw the photo. Now that I have read the recipe, I know this will be wonderful. What fabulous depth of flavor! Brava!
La Table De Nana says
I think this will be next..:) I make a shrimp coconut curry carrot soup.. and we love it.. This one sounds similar and the toppings are delightful:)
Beautiful pics....have a great weekend..
Angie Schneider says
Gosh, Chris, this curry soup looks unbelievably creamy and flavourful...I seriously want to dive into that bowl of goodness!
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says
So pretty...A bowl of goodness and comfort, Chris! Pinned!
Jennifer@ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
I am not to thrilled with summer going away, but with dishes like this you make me remember why I love the Fall. What a yummy soup and so flavorful! I just love it!!!