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Carrots roasted with coriander and shallots make a delicious base for this healthy soup. The fresh herb gremolata is the perfect topping.
Did I hear you say that you're really tired of the same-old, same-old meal rotation?
Are you bored with your culinary repertoire right now?
Planning a dinner party and looking for an appetizer with a big WOW factor?
Oh, and then there's Valentines Day - is there someone you want to say "I love you" to with a spectacular, yet simple to prepare meal? One you can make ahead of time, pull together at the last minute and has a zillion variations? You've come to the right place! We've got a delicious soup to share with you today that is not only loaded with fresh, healthy ingredients but one that will knock the socks off of your family, friends, and guests with its fabulous flavor!
I served this delightful soup today topped with a delicious Toasted Pine Nut & Fresh Herb Gremolata which is just a fancy Italian name for a mixture of garlic, lemon zest, and herbs. I added pine nuts which I toasted in the oven until golden. The herbs and lemon zest add a fabulous freshness to the already flavorful soup, the garlic adds a bit of zip and the pine nuts top it off with a lovely crunch. But guess what? I've got a bunch other ideas to give this soup sparkle and pizazz. .........
Like, what kind of ideas? Well, I thought you'd never ask! Like a scoop of jasmine rice topped with a drizzle of curry oil and some finely chopped fresh mint. Or, you could mound a pile of succulent crab meat or shredded chicken breast meat in the center of a shallow bowl and ladle the yummy soup around it. Top it with a sprinkle of fresh herbs and add a loaf of crusty bread - you've got an amazing, make-ahead, light dinner that everyone will rave about.
You could also add diced, cooked potatoes, pearl pasta or shredded fresh spinach and thinly sliced avocado would make a lovely contrast and creamy-textured topping. See what I mean? This soup is extremely adaptable and can take on all kinds of personalities; casual, fancy, elegant and all places in between. It certainly qualifies to be one of the Café's Little Black Dress Recipes!
Pick up the ingredients next time you're at the market and whip together a batch of this wonderful soup. Well, actually you might want to make a double batch since it won't last long, it keeps well and you might have some sad, long faces staring at you when they peek in the soup pot and see only the scraped-clean bottom looking back at them!
P.S. I almost forgot - see the fun flatbread crackers in the photos? Check back on Saturday for the recipe. Oh my goodness; when you take the first shatteringly crisp bite, you'll never want to purchase another cracker from the market. They have a special, unique ingredient that gives a burst of flavor that you won't believe! Be sure to check back!
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Roasted Carrot and Coriander Soup Toasted Pine Nuts and Fresh Herb Gremolata
Ingredients
Ingredients for the soup:
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 one pound bag baby carrots, or a one pound of carrots, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 medium potato, peeled and quartered
- 1 large onion, peeled and roughly chopped
- 2 medium shallots, halved and skin removed
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 5 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, packed
- 1 teaspoon crushed coriander seed* or coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha, a delicious chili sauce readily available in most larger markets in the Asian section
Ingredients for the gremolata and yogurt topping:
- 3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted in oven or stove top till golden brown
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest, finely zested
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 1-2 tablespoons milk, to thin Greek yogurt
Instructions
Instructions for the soup:
- Preheat oven to 450ËšF. Line a sheet pan with foil.
- In a large bowl, toss carrots, onions, shallot halves and sea salt with the olive oil and spread on prepared baking sheet. Roast for 25-30 minutes until light golden brown, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile, bring chicken broth to a simmer. Add potato, bay leaf, cilantro, coriander, curry powder and Sriracha. When carrots are finished roasting, add vegetable mixture to simmering broth. Continue cooking for 30 minutes until all veggies are very tender.
- Remove bay leaf and puree the mixture using a regular blender or a stick blender. If using a regular blender allow mixture to cool down a bit before pureeing. If too thick add more chicken broth to thin down a bit.
- At this point, soup can be cooled down and refrigerated for several days. To serve, simply warm the soup. Top with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of Toasted Pine Nut & Fresh Herb Gremolata or other desired toppings.
Instructions for the gremolata and Greek yogurt topping:
- Coarsely chop cooled pine nuts. Combine herbs, lemon zest, garlic and pine nuts in a small bowl.
- Place yogurt in a small bowl. Add milk to desired constancy and stir to combine.
Nutrition
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Have loved all your recipes but now I’m looking for plant based recipes. Will vegetable base broth instead of chicken broth change the taste of these soup recipes? Thanks so much!
You can definitely use veggie stock or broth in these recipes. They will be delicious!
I noticed you mention onions in the instructions, but I do not see the amount of onion needed. Love all your recipes!!
Thanks for noticing that, Ana! I've corrected it in the recipe!
Thanks for getting back to me Cyndy! I'm so glad you will have this soup to keep you warm on such a wintery night. It's not snowing here in North Carolina but we were actually just hearing about your storm on the news. Keep safe!
This soup is spectacular both in taste and appearance! Mine came out just like the photo - always a good sign - and so easy to make. Thank you. We'll enjoy it tonight during our blizzard here in Massachusetts - it'll warm us from the inside out!
Taking photos of soup is one of the hardest things to master and yours always look amazing. The flavors are wafting through my mind as I type this. Gorgeous.
How did you know my menus have been super dull? This soup would spice things up nicely and I can't wait to see how you make those beautiful crackers!
I love the idea of the pile of chicken breast with this yummy soup around it.
Mmmmm that sound just so delicious. keep well Diane
We're eating along the same track---I love these kinds of pretty colorful soups in the winter. I can't wait to read about your flatbread crackers...shatteringly crisp? Oh my, I need them.
I really need to get over my soup phobia. It would be great to whip up such healthy dinners in winter. Must grow up!
This soup looks amazing! I agree with your suggestions, you can do many things with this soup. I especially liked the idea of a scoop of crabmeat in it...oh my!!
All your ideas sound wonderful and of course I'll be back for that cracker recipe! They are beautiful and so is the lovely soup.
You sure know how to take something relatively simple and make it extra special. It's the gremolita I think that took it out of the ordinary. Or was it the coriander?
Chris, these photos are wonderful! This looks like a magazine photo shoot. And the soup sounds delicious.
I love carrot soup and roasted veggies - this looks like a winner, Chris! 🙂
That looks like such a wonderful soup - I do love those fresh herb garnishes! But I am most excited to see your cracker recipe on the weekend. I've never made a good one!
Your enthusiastic write up has me sold on trying this soup! Gorgeous pictures!!!
The carrots give this soup a nutritional punch as well as delicious flavour.
This is the BEST carrot soup I have ever seen! Looks utterly delicious!
I personally LOVE fresh cilantro but I know it's the herb that people love to hate.
Any ideas on what to use in its place?
Nothing really matches its unique flavor, does it?
Thanks
I personally LOVE fresh cilantro but it's the 'most hated' herb I know.
Any suggestions on what to use in its place?
Thanks!
I definitely pinned this! I pulled eight pounds of carrots out of the hoop house last weekend. I was going to pickle them all but will at least use some for this soup! Delicious and I love ALL your topping ideas.
You had me at Gremolata. I'll give this a try on the weekend and look forward to the cracker recipe. I've never tried crackers.
The soup is so perfect! I can't wait for the crackers! I'll be sure to stop by the Cafe on Saturday!!
This takes carrot soup and makes it very fancy, but also hearty and more flavorful!!! Like something they would make on Top Chef!
What a perfect soup, full of flavors! The flatbread crackers looks awesome!
Looks like the perfect soup to me... Love it when there is a lot of flavors and great toppings!
I have not tried carrot yet. I usually make this with butternut squash, but carrots are not seasonal so this is going on my list. This soup hits every taste bud, hot, sweet, salty, and sour…. I would encourage anyone making this soup not to forego the yogurt. It just completes it. Bring on the flatbread. I am always looking for breads and crackers.
And Scott, great photos! This color is sooo difficult to photograph yet you make it look so delicious.