Ingredients for - Coconut Carrot Soup with Cumin Oil
How to cook deliciously - Coconut Carrot Soup with Cumin Oil
1. Stage
Cook the aromatics: In a medium pot or Dutch oven, heat the 3 tablespoons of canola oil over medium heat. Add the onions and carrots, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, occasionally stirring, until the onions are soft and translucent and a fork easily pierces through carrots. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and the black pepper.
2. Stage
Add the ginger and garlic: Turn the heat down to medium-low and stir in ginger and garlic. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until ginger and garlic are fragrant and slightly softened.
3. Stage
Simmer the soup: Stir in coconut milk, vegetable stock, garam masala, chili powder, and another 1/2 teaspoon salt. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low to simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Stage
Blend the soup: Remove soup from the heat and using a handheld immersion bender, carefully blend directly in the pot until smooth. Alternatively, let the soup sit for 5 minutes until cooled slightly, then ladle the soup into a blender. Place the lid on the blender and remove the center cap from the lid. This opening will help the steam release as the soup blends. Cover the lid with a kitchen towel as you blend the mixture so that the soup doesn’t splatter on you. Starting at a low speed and gradually increase the speed until it’s completely smooth. You may need to work in batches; don't fill the blender more than a third full. Return the blended soup to the pot and adjust seasoning to taste with salt and black pepper. If the soup is too thick for your liking, you can thin it out with more stock or water. Keep it warm on the stove while you prepare the cumin oil.
5. Stage
Make the cumin oil: In a small tadka pan or saucepan, heat the 2 tablespoons of neutral oil over medium heat. Once the oil begins to glisten and ripple, add the cumin seeds. If the oil is smoking, turn the heat down before adding the cumin to prevent them from burning. Once the cumin seeds start to sizzle, add the sliced garlic. Cook the cumin and garlic, occasionally swirling the pan until the garlic just begins to turn golden brown. Immediately remove the pan from the heat and pour the cumin oil into a small heatproof bowl. If you leave the oil in the pan, the residual heat will burn the cumin seeds and garlic.
6. Stage
Serve the soup: Divide the soup among serving bowls and top each with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of the cumin oil. Garnish with fresh cilantro and enjoy alongside naan or crusty bread.