Monday, February 27, 2017

Spiced Carrot Soup


I had an amazing Carrot Soup at Cafe Campagne in Seattle when a friend was visiting last month and I remember asking at the time what spices were in the soup because it was so incredibly delicious. The secret ingredients were Five Spice Powder and Cardamom. I don't know why I waited so long to make it once I knew what was in it. So tonight, I stopped by the store and picked up some lovely slender carrots with the tops on as they are fresher and finally made this soup. Oh my it was good and it was so easy too!  It's made with Shallots and Butter, Carrots, Vegetable Broth and the spices I already mentioned.  That's it and it took only about 20 minutes to make. It is a creamy soup with just a hint of exotic spices. I left the seeds of the Cardamom nearly whole as I enjoy biting into the resinous little seeds. I am going to make this soup again and again - this one is not just a keeper, it's already become a favorite!

Spiced Carrot Soup

4 cups of peeled and chopped slender Carrots
2 large Shallots, chopped (nearly 1 cup)
4 Tablespoons Butter (or Ghee)
1/2 teaspoon Salt
3 cups Vegetable Broth (or Chicken Broth)
1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon Five Spice Powder
Seeds from about 6 -8 Cardamom Pods crushed (remove bits of husk) or about 1//8 - 1/4 tsp when ground

Melt the Butter in a soup pot and add in the Shallots. Cook, stirring them until they become translucent. Add in Carrots and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring often to keep them from getting brown. Then add in the Vegetable Broth, Salt, Five Spice Powder and Cardamom. Bring to a boil and lower heat to a simmer. Cook for 10 - 15 minutes or until the Carrots are soft. Using a stick blender, puree until smooth or use a blender, doing 1/2 of the mixture at a time until it is the right consistency.

Five Element Analysis

Carrots are extremely nutritious and belong to the Earth Element. The Vegetable Broth (or Chicken Broth) contributes the Wood Element. The Five Spice Powder, Cardamom and Butter along with the Shallots bring in the Metal Element. Soup, by it's very nature is part of the Water Element. Only the Fire Element is missing so this is a good soup to serve with a Salad to create a Five Element balance.  


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