This carrot ginger soup is a post-holiday kind of recipe. You know, for all of those healthy new-year goals and resolutions you (and I) have made. When it comes down to it, I’m not much for resolutions, I prefer to set goals. Which you may be thinking are the same thing, but I don’t think so. I find goals are something that can be set at any time in the year and they always have an endpoint whereas with resolutions, they are more of a big sweeping statement. Here’s how I think of it: resolutions = something I want to do, goals = something I will do.
I’ve been busy coming up with goals for 2014 (which, again, nerd-alert here, is actually one of my favourite things to do). At one point, I was like, “I’m going to wake up and 5am everyday and be really productive!” which is something that I always thought would be a good idea. I’m a morning person, but I quickly realized that that goal was not quite attainable. So don’t worry, I had a reality check about 5 minutes later and realized that waking up that early would never be a thing. That’s the thing about goals, they need to be attainable, otherwise you just get frustrated by not meeting them and then are more likely to not set goals in the future.
Last week I had quite a few conversations about sleep. Kind of a random topic, but I feel many resolutions will be “get more sleep”. I also feel like everyone loves talking about sleep. At one point, someone asked me if I sleep a lot, which made me laugh because if there’s one thing in this world that I love more than food, it’s sleep. Did I have a bad day? The solution: a bowl of chili, or this Carrot Ginger Soup or a slice (or three, who are we kidding) of pizza an old movie and going to bed early. Even if I have an exam the next day, forget about an all-nighter or cramming until 4am, I’m in bed by 11pm. I would rather give up a couple hours of studying and have a good, refreshing night’s sleep. I’m a firm believer in the idea that sleep makes everything better. Sleep and good food, that is. It’s the best way we can nourish our body don’t you think? I hope that in the next year I can make sleep more of a priority, I find myself going to bed way too late these days so that when I have to get up in the morning, I’m already dreaming of climbing back into bed.
If you’re already thinking about your post-holiday health kick, this carrot ginger soup will be the prefect way to start the New Year. It’s packed with nutritious vegetables and aromatics like carrots and ginger. I know, this flavour combination of carrot and ginger is nothing new (try my carrot and ginger slaw), but it’s one of my favourites.
Quick tip
Watch my video below for a quick 45-second tip for the easiest way to peel ginger.
A few more healthy ideas for the new year:
Breakfast: Soft Boiled Egg over Quinoa and Spinach
Lunch: Quinoa Salad
Dinner: Vegetarian Curry
Yields 4-6 servings
A combination of mildly hot spices and sweet tangy juices make a deliciously balanced Carrot and Ginger Soup.
10 minPrep Time
48 minCook Time
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon butter
- 6 carrots, chopped
- 2 medium onions, chopped
- 2 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon hot pepper flakes
- 5 cups vegetable broth
- juice of ½ lemon
- 3 tablespoon orange juice
- parsley and pepper for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat butter over medium-low heat. Add onions and cook for 5 minutes or until softened.
- Add carrots and ginger, saute for another 3 minutes. Add salt and hot pepper flakes, cook another 30 seconds.
- Add broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cover and cook for 40 minutes.
- Puree with an immersion blender or in batches in a regular blender. Stir in lemon juice and orange juice.
Notes
Recipe by Louisa Clements
Start the year off on the right foot with this recipe for carrot ginger soup.
Rika
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Laura
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