2000s Recipes + Menus

Carrot Soup with Toasted Almonds

Serves4 (first course)
  • Active Time:25 min
  • Start to Finish:45 min
November 2006
The secret to this simple recipe is using the best carrots you can find; taste them to make sure they are sweet and full of flavor.
  • 1 cup sliced shallots (about 4 large)
  • 1 Turkish or 1/2 California bay leaf
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • Rounded 1/8 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
  • 1 small boiling potato (3 oz)
  • 1 1/2 lb carrots, peeled and cut crosswise 1/4 inch thick
  • 1 3/4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth (14 fl oz)
  • 1 cup apple cider (preferably unfiltered)
  • 1 1/4 cups water
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
  • Cook shallots, bay leaf, ginger, curry powder, and thyme in butter in a 2- to 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until shallots are softened and pale golden, 6 to 8 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, peel potato and cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
  • Add potato to shallot mixture along with carrots, broth, cider, water, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until carrots are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Discard bay leaf.
  • Purée soup in 2 batches in a blender until smooth, transferring as blended to a large bowl (use caution when blending hot liquids). Return to saucepan to reheat if necessary. Serve soup sprinkled with almonds.
Cooks' notes:
  • Soup can be made 2 days ahead and cooled completely, uncovered, then chilled, covered. Reheat over low heat. Thin with additional water if necessary.
  • Almonds can be toasted 2 days ahead and cooled completely, then kept in an airtight container at room temperature.

Ratings

Comments

Post a Comment

Please be advised that Gourmet magazine will cease publication after the November issue.

Subscribers can look forward to receiving Bon Appetit magazine for the remainder of their subscription. The Gourmet.com website will remain available during a transitional period, and access to Gourmet recipes will also remain available via sister site Epicurious.com and the Epi iPhone application.

We regret any inconvenience, and look forward to your continued readership. For questions about your Gourmet magazine subscription, please follow this link to subscription services.

The Oct. 23-25 Gourmet Institute events will not take place. Additional information is available at gourmetinstitute.com.

If you purchased the GOURMET TODAY cookbook and would like to take advantage of the offer on the back flap, click here for more information.
Subscribe to Gourmet

Conde Nast Store
Give the Gift of Gourmet

Subscribe

Subscribe to Gourmet
Diary of a Foodie

From Vermont to Vietnam, take a global culinary tour with season three of our award-winning public television show, Gourmet's Diary of a Foodie.