Lunch: Curried Carrot Soup with Tarragon Oil

To make this healthy soup especially tasty, Naomi Pomeroy cooks the carrots with Madras curry powder, ginger, and garlic. Before serving, she adds a little bit of Tabasco sauce and a drizzle of tarragon-infused oil.

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Lemon

Health benefits of Curried Carrot Soup with Tarragon Oil

Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. Lemons are also rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and other antioxidants. They can potentially support the immune system and have other health benefits. Lemons also have a low glycemic index, so they should not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar when consumed in natural form.

Ingredients

3/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil
1 large white onion
2 clove garlic
1 tbsp. minced peeled ginger
2 tsp. madras curry powder
1 1/2 lb. carrots
7 c. water
1 tsp. sugar
salt
Freshly ground pepper
2 bunch tarragon
1 c. flat-leaf parsley leaves
1/2 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
Tabasco
snipped chives

Instructions

In a large pot, heat 1/4 cup of the oil. Add the onion and cook over moderately high heat, stirring frequently, until softened, about 6 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, and curry powder and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the carrots and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes longer. Add the water and sugar and season with salt and pepper. Simmer over moderately low heat until the carrots are very tender, about 45 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan of boiling salted water, blanch the tarragon and parsley just until wilted, about 30 seconds. Drain the herbs and transfer to a bowl of ice water, then drain again, squeezing out the excess water. Transfer to a blender. Add the remaining 1/2 cup of olive oil and puree until smooth. Strain the oil through a double layer of cheesecloth without pressing down on the solids.
Carefully puree the hot soup in a blender or food processor until smooth. Return the soup to the pot, stir in the lemon zest, and season with Tabasco, salt, and pepper. Ladle the soup into shallow bowls, drizzle with the tarragon oil, and garnish with chives. Looking for vegetable recipes? Try our best asparagus recipes, eggplant recipes, or zucchini recipes.