Hearty Carrot Soup

I made a big batch of carrot soup for the Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. It is a creamy (minus too much heavy cream) and mildly spiced soup that does not come with a side of guilt! Spicy here is not ‘hot’ spicy rather I should say pumpkin spicy – just perfect for the holiday.
You need:
1.5 pound bag of carrots, coarsely chopped
1 large potato, chopped into chunks, coarsely chopped
4-5 stalks of celery, chopped
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
3-4 cloves of garlic
3 cups milk (can use skimmed as well)
6 cups chicken broth/water
1/4 cup whipping cream (optional)
2 tbsp butter ( I like ‘I can’t believe its butter’ as well)
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
1/4 tsp clove powder
1/4 tsp nutmeg powder
salt and pepper to taste
extra water (if needed)
Garnish (optional)
Few drops of cream
Just like my other soups, in this recipe also I used steamed carrots and potatoes. This reduces the cooking time and does not reduce the nutritional value of the vegetables. Steam the chopped carrots and potatoes. I used my rice cooker with steamer, steamed for 20 minutes so that the vegetables are nicely done.
In a large sauce pan, heat the butter and add the bay leaf. After few seconds add onions, garlic and saute for couple of minutes. Add clove,cinnamon and nutmeg powder,little salt and saute for few seconds. Add celery and saute for few minutes.
Add steamed carrots and potatoes and cook for couple of minutes with the onions and celery mixture. Add chicken broth/water and bring it boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Let the soup cool down a bit,remove the bay leaf and use a blender to puree it in batches. Return the pureed soup to the sauce pan, add milk and bring it to boil.
You can add more water or milk, if needed. Simmer for few minutes. Add cream (if using). Adjust salt, spices and add pepper if you prefer it little hot.
Garnish the soup bowls with few drops of cream and chopped honey toasted Pecans. Serve hot!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feel free to half the recipe if needed, though I think a large batch is much better :)