Carrot Soup With Lime and Chiles Recipe
This vibrant and flavorful carrot soup, enriched with lime and chiles, offers a delicious way to warm up while nourishing your body with cold-healing ingredients. Packed with garlic, carrots, and chicken broth, this soup is not only soothing but also loaded with health benefits, making it perfect for those chilly days when you need a bit of comfort.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Description:
This Carrot Soup with Lime and Chiles is a perfect blend of flavors that will warm you up while providing your body with immune-boosting nutrients. Adapted from the Prevention Magazine: Natural Healing Guide 2002, this recipe brings together garlic, carrots, and chicken broth—ingredients known for their cold-healing properties. To make this dish even more comforting, feel free to incorporate uncooked instant brown rice for added texture and heartiness, just remember to add an extra cup of water and cook the rice along with the carrots. For a vegetarian version, simply swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Canola oil | 1 tablespoon |
| Olive oil | 1 tablespoon |
| Onion | 2 medium, chopped |
| Garlic cloves | 2, minced |
| Carrot | 1/2 pound, peeled and sliced |
| Brown rice | 1/2 cup |
| Chicken broth | 2 cups |
| Salt | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Green chilies | 2, chopped |
| Lime juice | 1, from fresh lime |
Nutritional Information (per serving):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 237.2 kcal |
| Fat | 6.9 grams |
| Saturated Fat | 1.1 grams |
| Cholesterol | 6.3 milligrams |
| Sodium | 634.1 milligrams |
| Carbohydrates | 36.1 grams |
| Fiber | 3.2 grams |
| Sugars | 8.2 grams |
| Protein | 8.3 grams |
Instructions:
-
Heat the oils
Start by heating the canola and olive oils in a large saucepan over medium heat. This will create a flavorful base for the soup. -
Sauté the onions
Add the chopped onion to the pan and sauté for about 3 minutes, or until the onions become translucent and soft. This step builds the foundational flavor of the soup. -
Add the garlic
Add the minced garlic to the pan and sauté for an additional minute, allowing the garlic to release its aromatic flavors. -
Incorporate the carrots and broth
Add the sliced carrots, chicken broth, and salt to the pan. Stir everything together to combine, ensuring the carrots are well-coated in the broth. -
Bring to a boil
Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low once the boil is reached. Let the soup simmer, partially covered, for about 20 minutes, or until the carrots become tender when pierced with a fork. -
Add chiles, lime, and rice
Stir in the chopped green chilies, lime juice, and brown rice. This adds a wonderful tangy flavor and heat from the chiles while giving the soup a hearty texture from the rice. -
Purée the soup
Once the carrots are tender, use a food processor, blender, or immersion blender to purée the soup until smooth. For the smoothest result, blend the solid ingredients with just enough liquid to achieve a creamy texture, then return the mixture to the soup pot with the remaining broth. -
Reheat and serve
If necessary, reheat the soup over low heat until warm. Serve in bowls, garnished with a slice of lime or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro for added freshness.
Tips:
- Instant Rice Variation: For an extra hearty soup, consider adding uncooked instant brown rice along with the carrots in step 4. Simply add an extra cup of water and cook everything together. This method saves time and ensures a filling, complete dish.
- Vegetarian Option: Swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth to create a vegetarian-friendly version of this soup, perfect for those following plant-based diets.
- Spice Level: The green chilies give the soup a mild kick. If you prefer a spicier version, feel free to add extra chilies or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the mix.
This Carrot Soup with Lime and Chiles is a perfect example of how food can both comfort and heal. The soothing combination of garlic, carrots, and broth is complemented by the bright tang of lime and the heat of chilies, making it a wonderfully balanced soup for any time of year. Whether you enjoy it as a light lunch or a nourishing dinner, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your recipe repertoire. Enjoy the goodness!
