Description
Hearty butternut carrot soup showcases Ina Garten’s signature comfort cooking style. Silky smooth ingredients blend perfectly, offering home cooks a delightful winter meal you’ll savor with warmth and satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (946 ml) vegetable broth
- 2 cups (473 ml) water
- 2 pounds (907 g) carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- 1 to 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, to taste
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt, divided, plus more to taste
- 1½ teaspoons lemon juice, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Roast Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Carrot Transformation: Peel and slice carrots, toss with olive oil and salt, then spread evenly on prepared baking sheet. Roast for 25-40 minutes, rotating midway to achieve caramelized edges and tender texture.
- Aromatic Foundation: In a large pot, sauté onion, ginger, and salt over medium heat until onions become translucent and soft, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Spice Awakening: Introduce garlic, ground coriander, and cumin, stirring briefly to release their intense aromatics.
- Liquid Integration: Pour vegetable broth and water into the pot, scraping any caramelized bits from the bottom, then add roasted carrots. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 15 minutes.
- Texture Refinement: Thoroughly blend the soup in batches until ultra-smooth, incorporating butter, lemon juice, and black pepper to elevate the flavor complexity.
- Final Seasoning: Adjust taste with additional salt, pepper, butter, or lemon juice. Serve immediately or store in refrigerator for up to 4 days, with freezing option available for long-term preservation.
Notes
- Roast for Flavor Depth: Caramelizing carrots intensifies their natural sweetness and develops a rich, complex taste that transforms the soup’s overall character.
- Spice Timing Matters: Add ground spices briefly to prevent burning and maximize their aromatic potential, releasing maximum flavor without becoming bitter.
- Blending Technique: Blend soup in small batches to ensure a consistently smooth texture, preventing potential splattering and achieving a velvety finish.
- Storage and Freshness: Refrigerate soup for up to 4 days or freeze for longer preservation, maintaining optimal taste and texture when reheating gently.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg