Creamy Carrot-Ginger Soup

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To celebrate Winter Solstice, I made a batch of this creamy carrot-ginger soup, one of my favorite vegetable soup recipes. Although it calls for cream, it doesn’t include any oil or butter, a reasonable balance. You can easily substitute half and half or even whole milk for the cream.

Our local farmers market is full of winter produce and I had a bunch of carrots I’d picked up last Friday. Even in the supermarkets, organic carrots are readily available and inexpensive.

Since I only had left-over rice following an Asian take-out meal, I bought precooked brown rice at Trader Joe’s. The brown rice is a healthier addition with its added fiber and nutrients.

I wanted watercress as a garnish, but was unable to find any this time of year. Flat-leaved parsley works just fine. This soup reheats beautifully. Just be certain not to boil when reheating.

Serves 8 as a starter, 6 as a main course

  • 1 lb. organic carrots, topped and peeled
  • 3 stalks organic celery, including leaves
  • 1 medium-sized organic yellow onion, sliced
  • 1/4 cup crystallized ginger, finely chopped
  • 7 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
  • 1 cup cooked brown rice
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
  • 1/2 cup cream
  • watercress or flat-leaved parsley

1. Slice the carrots and celery. Place in a large, heavy-bottomed pot (such as Le Creuset). Add onion and ginger.

2. Add the chicken stock and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, covered, until vegetables are soft, about 15 minutes.

3. Remove pot from heat and stir in cooked rice. Add salt and pepper and stir.

4. Using a blender, puree soup in small batches and return to pot.

5. Add the cream, stir and correct seasoning.

6. Garnish with watercress or parsley and serve.

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12 Responses to Creamy Carrot-Ginger Soup

  1. Summer December 23, 2010 at 9:44 am #

    Yummy soup and lovely blog!!!
    Wonderful happy holidays and Merry Christmas!1

    • lizthechef December 23, 2010 at 3:28 pm #

      Thank you for visiting – Happy Holidays to you as well!!

  2. Toni December 23, 2010 at 3:44 pm #

    Larry was telling me about this when he stopped into Mission Hills Nursery yesterday and he had a smile on his face so I know it’s good.

    • lizthechef December 23, 2010 at 4:45 pm #

      It is delicious, if I do say so myself – pretty healthy too…Say, our tree still smells great – and Larry came home with the prettiest orchid for his 97 year-old Mom. Merry Christmas!!

  3. TasteFood December 23, 2010 at 10:47 pm #

    This sounds great! I have never tried pureeing a soup with rice. I’m intrigued!

    • lizthechef December 23, 2010 at 11:08 pm #

      The brown rice doesn’t totally puree – it adds a little texture to the soup. Your soup with kale chips coming up soon!

  4. tasteofbeirut December 26, 2010 at 2:32 am #

    Lovely carrot soup! I like carrot soup it is creamy and delicious!

    • lizthechef December 26, 2010 at 3:49 am #

      Thank you for your comment – hope you will visit in the coming year…Liz

  5. Chez Suzanne December 27, 2010 at 5:42 pm #

    This looks really good, Liz! I’ve never made carrot soup and this looks like a great one to make this week. I love the idea of the brown rice in it too! I need some healthy options right now. I ate about 20 of monkeymom’s holiday cookies I made yesterday….I ate 4 of them before they even went into the oven 🙁

    • lizthechef December 27, 2010 at 5:57 pm #

      I SO hear you re the sugar overload. I’m starting to pass out cookies by re-gifting them to homeless folks begging at stop lights – honest! I’m going to try making this with 2% milk – bet it will be fine.

  6. KitchenVixen December 29, 2010 at 2:17 pm #

    I love the carrot-ginger flavor combination, such a nice reprieve after all the holiday madness. I’m thinking this would make a nice lunch soup for work days in the midst of January.

    • lizthechef December 29, 2010 at 4:18 pm #

      I made a batch using 2% milk and it came out fine – and, of course, healthier. Thanks for visiting!

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