Description
Creamy carrot potato soup blends rustic flavors from French countryside cooking traditions. Hearty ingredients combine for a comforting meal that nourishes and delights you with each spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large carrots, peeled and chopped
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups (960 ml/32 fl oz) vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
- 1 cup (240 ml/8 fl oz) milk (or heavy cream for extra creaminess)
- 2 tbsps (30 ml/1 fl oz) butter or olive oil
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried thyme (or fresh thyme for garnish)
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional, for depth)
- ½ cup (60 g/2 oz) shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for a cheesy version)
Instructions
- Sauté Base: Gently caramelize onions in butter or olive oil over medium heat until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Introduce minced garlic and cook briefly to release its aromatic profile.
- Vegetable Integration: Add chopped carrots and diced potatoes to the aromatic foundation. Season comprehensively with salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and smoky paprika, ensuring even coating.
- Liquid Infusion: Submerge vegetables completely with vegetable broth. Accelerate to a rapid boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, partially covering to concentrate flavors and promote even cooking.
- Cooking Process: Simmer vegetables for 20-25 minutes until fork-tender. Verify doneness by effortless piercing of carrots and potatoes, indicating optimal texture and softness.
- Texture Transformation: Utilize immersion blender or standard blender to puree soup into a silky, uniform consistency. Ensure smooth integration by processing in small batches if using a standard blender.
- Creamy Enhancement: Fold in milk or cream to develop a luxurious, velvety profile. Optional: incorporate shredded cheese, allowing complete melting for additional depth and richness.
- Final Seasoning: Calibrate flavor balance by tasting and adjusting seasonings. Warm thoroughly without exceeding simmering temperature to preserve delicate flavor nuances.
- Presentation: Ladle into pre-warmed bowls, garnishing with fresh thyme sprigs, cracked black pepper, or an elegant cheese sprinkle to elevate visual and gustatory experience.
Notes
- Minimize Browning: Stir onions and garlic constantly to prevent burning, which can introduce bitter flavors and compromise the soup’s delicate taste profile.
- Control Liquid Consistency: Adjust vegetable broth quantity based on desired soup thickness – less liquid creates a thicker puree, while more provides a lighter, more fluid texture.
- Blending Safety Technique: When using a standard blender, fill only halfway and remove center lid cap, covering with a towel to prevent hot liquid explosion and ensure smooth, safe blending process.
- Dietary Adaptation Options: Swap dairy milk with plant-based alternatives like almond or oat milk for vegan version; use coconut milk for added richness and subtle tropical undertone.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 215
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg