Healthy Carrot, Orange, Ginger Soup

HEALTHY CARROT, ORANGE, GINGER SOUP (serves 4)

Need a little warmth?  This healthy carrot, orange, ginger soup has all the nutrients and will also warm you up during the cold winter months, and even into springtime!  Some vitamin C from the orange, the natural warmth of ginger, and vitamin A and Beta-carotene from the carrots!  Perfect combination!

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons coconut oil

1 large brown onion, chopped

1 stalk celery, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

2 sprigs thyme

1 bay leaf

500g carrots, peeled and chopped

Pinch of salt, or to taste

1 orange, zest and juice

5cm piece of fresh ginger, thinly sliced and chopped or finely grated

1 litre vegetable stock

500ml water

To serve healthy carrot, orange, ginger soup

Plain yoghurt/sour cream/Crème Fraiche/ fresh coriander/fresh parsley/toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds

Directions

1. In a large soup pot or stock pot, over medium heat, fry the onion and celery in the coconut oil until the onion is translucent and soft (about 5-10 minutes).
2. Add the garlic, thyme and bay leaf, until the garlic is fragrant (about 2 minutes).
3. Add the carrots and a pinch of salt, and cook for about 10 minutes till they start to caramelise slightly.
4. Add the orange zest, ginger, stock and water and cook till the carrots are soft enough to blend (about 15-20 minutes).
5. Remove the pot from the heat, and either blend the ingredients with a stick blender or carefully pour the liquid and vegetables in batches in a food processor.
6. Add the orange juice, and blend it in the soup mix.
7. If preferred add more water at this stage to thin the soup further, or leave as is.