Ginger Carrot Soup

Ingredients

• 2 pounds carrots peeled chopped
• 1 teaspoon thyme leaves fresh minced
• 1 tablespoon garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger minced
• 1 teaspoon honey 
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 
• 0.5 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper black plus more for seasoning
• 0.3 cup pinenuts 
• 1.3 cups yogurt plain
• 1 medium baking potatoes peeled chopped
• 0.5 teaspoon salt plus more for seasoning
• 1 cup onion sweet chopped
• 4 cups vegetable stock for vegetarian version

Equipment

• bowl
• frying pan
• blender
• dutch oven

Directions

1. Watch how to make this recipe.
2. In a heavy Dutch oven, (prefer porcelain covered cast iron), over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and the sweet onions.
3. Sprinkle with salt and sweat for 10 minutes, until just starting to caramelize.
4. Add in the garlic and ginger and saute for 2 minutes more, being careful not to burn the mixture. Stir in the carrots, potatoes and the chicken or vegetable stock. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook until carrots and potato is very tender, about 15 to 18 minutes. Keep warm.
5. In a small saute pan, over high heat, lightly toast the pine nuts and set aside to cool.
6. In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, honey, thyme and black pepper.
7. With a stick blender, puree the carrot mixture and gradually add in the pine nuts and the yogurt mixture. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve immediately.
8. Cook's Note: You can prepare the soup 3 or 4 days ahead, refrigerated, and add the nut and yogurt mixture when ready to serve.