Saturday, October 20, 2012

Changes: Thai Roasted Carrot Soup

It's that strange in-between here in my corner of the universe: the point in the fall when you're not sure whether to wear long or short sleeves, whether to pack a jacket or an umbrella, whether to pick up the branches and leaves or wait for the next gusty storm to do it all at once.

It's also that time of in-between for the local markets.  There are two weeks left in our CSA for the season (our end of season potluck is tonight), and some of the summer markets are closing, which makes me pine for the dog days of summer (which I hated when they were here).  But the fall and winter markets are starting; I discovered that this year one has opened in the old pottery factory just two blocks from our house, and, local foodie that I am, I'm looking forward to regular Saturday morning walks there for coffee and tea and bread and eggs and wine and cheese and honey and whatever else is on offer.  We ventured there this morning and noticed empty spaces where some vendors have had to staff two markets at the same time.  I hope that it thrives; I've offered them help with social media to get the word out.

I both love and hate this time of year.  On the one hand, I've never been comfortable with liminality.  I want to be either one place or another, to know where I stand.  On the other hand, this moment in time is so excruciatingly beautiful that I feel like I don't mind giving up certainty for the experience of being here.  And I know that the winter is just around the corner; if the wooly bear caterpillars I've been seeing everywhere are any indication, it will be a long and cold winter.

This morning I also got a call from my mother.  She fell down her basement steps, breaking several of her ribs and her scapula, and injuring her head.  They are talking about releasing her from the hospital tomorrow, and she will be moving into our house for the foreseeable future.  Which you know, if you've been a longtime reader, will be an interesting change, to say the least.

I've made soup.  Because there were carrots from the CSA share, and because soup is comfort food, and fall food, under any circumstances.

Are there changes--seasonal or otherwise--afoot in your corner of the universe, too?

For some reason my carrot soup
appears to be glowing.  It's not, really.
Thai Roasted Carrot Soup

1.5 lbs. carrots
drizzle of olive oil for roasting plus 1 T. for cooking
1/2 onion, chopped
1.5" piece of ginger, grated
2 stalks lemongrass, finely sliced (or 1 T. grated lemon peel)
2 cloves garlic, minced/crushed
1 Thai hot pepper, minced finely (optional)
2 t. cumin
dash of nutmeg
4 c. broth (vegetable is fine)
1 can coconut milk
2 T. lime juice (or less if you prefer)
Thai basil for garnish

Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray large rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray.  Add carrots to prepared baking sheet; drizzle with oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast until tender and brown, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and sticking, about 55 minutes. Don't be afraid of brown; you want to bring out the caramel flavor in the carrots.

In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium and add onion through hot pepper (optional), sauteeing until the onion becomes translucent.  Add cumin and nutmeg and saute for another minute.  Add roasted carrots and broth, bring to a boil, and simmer about 20 minutes.  Add coconut milk and puree with an immersion blender (or transfer to a regular blender).  Add lime juice just before serving, and if available, garnish with Thai basil.
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11 comments:

  1. Grrrr. Blogger just ate my comment.

    I hope your mom heals well and quickly. I'm sure your yummy and healthful food will go a long way to making that happen.

    The soup looks like just the ticket for a day like today! And you've reminded me that I have until noon to pick up my last CSA share of the season.

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  2. Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about your mother. Sounds stressful all around. Wishing you well.

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  3. I hope your mum has a full and speedy recovery, and that hosting her is not stressful. And that soup looks delicious.

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  4. so sorry about your mom. hope she heals well (I bet she will if you're cooking for her!). how cool about the indoor winter market! and this soup looks SO good. I pinned it, hope you don't mind.

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  5. I am so sorry to hear about your mom. I often wonder if I would be able to manage a move-in situation with mine (and for now and the foreseeable future, that answer is no. Oil and water, with a dose of zero patience for me). I'm wishing you strength on this journey.

    And thanking you for this recipe. How did you know I've had carrot soup on the brain? I was just ready to set off with a much less exciting recipe. How timely.

    gosh, I just hope mine glows...

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  6. I hope your mom heals quickly. It sounds like a big, stressful change, and I hope it goes well! We just go the notice that the organic delivery service we use has to discontinue 100% local farm boxes because it's the end of the season. Now almost everything will come from out of state until next summer. It was good while it lasted!

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  7. Comforting and delicious! This is a perfect soup for any season.

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  8. That soup: I am starving after seeing that picture. Oh, soup. I love to eat you, hate to make you.

    I am hoping that your mother heals well, and that the transition to her living with you all goes well. That's hard :(

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  9. YOUR MOTHER IN YOUR HOUSE. I just read this?! Sigh.

    It is all change here - we are moving into autumn, but this week is the week we traditionally get a last gasp of wintry weather - there was snow on the Mountain yesterday (the Royal Hobart Show is on this week - the local agricultural show - so we traditionally get revolting weather for it while everyone has a day off). But it's the season to get veggies into the garden - and I don't know which garden to plant in. My son is being moved into an older room at day care - but he's just a baby! All change, all the time.

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  10. I am so sorry about your mom. I send my thoughts and prayers your way for her healing and your family's adjustment to her coming to live with you for awhile.

    I love this:

    "This moment in time is so excruciatingly beautiful that I feel like I don't mind giving up certainty for the experience of being here."

    Autumn is my favorite season, watching the leaves change is breathtaking for me and I can't get enough of the beautiful colors in our neighborhood. I feel blessed to live in a place with lots of big and old trees.

    Being the opposite of a foodie, I have never heard of carrot soup, but it certainly looks interesting.

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  11. So sorry to hear about your mom's fall. It does sound stressful:(

    I'm not comfortable with liminality, either (and that was beautifully put, by the way). I find myself yearning for cold weather, and I don't even like cold weather.

    (Sorry, also, to have been such a sporadic commenter.)

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