Mary Berry’s Simple Carrot and Coriander Soup

Mary Berry’s carrot and coriander soup offers a nourishing and flavourful experience ideal for anyone looking to enjoy a wholesome meal that is both easy to prepare and delightful to the palate.

This soup embodies a perfect blend of sweetness from the carrots and a slightly spicy, aromatic lift from the coriander, which together create a comforting taste experience. With a preparation time that is quick and a total cooking duration of merely half an hour, it makes for an excellent choice for a speedy lunch or dinner that doesn’t compromise on taste or nutritional value.

Crafting Mary Berry’s Signature Carrot Coriander Soup

Ingredients

You will need:

• 1 tbsp of vegetable oil
• 1 finely sliced onion
• 450g of carrots, peeled and cut
• 1 tsp of powdered coriander
• 1.2 litres of vegetable broth
• A generous handful of coriander leaves, coarsely chopped
• Salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Optional: a splash of milk or cream

How to make simple carrot and coriander soup

Follow these steps for a delightful soup:

• In a sizeable saucepan on medium-high heat, warm the oil. Sauté the onion until it’s tender and takes on a golden hue, typically around 10 minutes.
• Introduce the carrots and coriander powder to the saucepan, continuing to stir for 5 minutes until the carrots begin softening.
• Pour in the vegetable stock, escalating to a high heat until it boils. Then, lower the heat and let it simmer for approximately 15 minutes, or until the carrots are soft.
• Using a blender, puree the soup in portions until achieving a smooth consistency.
• Reheat the silky mixture in the saucepan at a gentle simmer. It is now time to infuse the chopped coriander leaves for a burst of flavour. Season with salt and pepper to your preference, and for added richness, introduce a touch of milk or cream if you wish.
• Serve the soup piping hot, accompanied by a piece of crunchy bread or croutons.

Key Takeaways

• Mary Berry’s carrot and coriander soup recipe is a delicious, low-calorie meal that’s quick to prepare.
• This dish combines the natural sweetness of carrots with the spice of coriander.
• The recipe is suitable for chefs of all expertise levels and perfect for a hearty meal.

Mary Berry’s Take on Carrot and Coriander Soup

Mary Berry, the esteemed British chef and author, presents a comforting vegetable soup recipe that is a testament to her culinary expertise. Her carrot and coriander soup melds the sweetness of carrots and the aromatic zest of fresh coriander leaves with a base of onions and a soothing vegetable stock. This soup is pureed to achieve a smooth and creamy texture. Additionally, it is seasoned with a careful balance of salt, pepper, and ground coriander to enhance the natural flavours. This dish serves equally well as an appetising starter or as a wholesome main course.

• Key ingredients: Carrots, onion, fresh coriander leaves
• Liquid base: Vegetable stock
• Seasonings: Salt, freshly ground black pepper, ground coriander
• Texture: Blended until smooth and creamy

Famed for her extensive work in the culinary world, including numerous cookbooks and celebrated television appearances, Berry’s recipes, such as this delightful soup, are cherished by home cooks for their simplicity and elegance.

Reasons to Try Carrot and Coriander Soup

Carrot and coriander soup is a compelling choice for a healthy and flavoursome meal. With its straightforward preparation, this soup is ideal for anyone seeking a nutritious dish that can be prepared with minimal fuss. The ingredients necessary are commonly available and it’s a perfect option for a quick lunch or a satisfying supper on a brisk day.

• Simplicity: Preparing the soup is a simple process involving basic components and standard kitchen equipment like a blender or food processor. In just under 30 minutes, one can have a delicious soup ready to serve.
• Health Benefits: Enriched with beta-carotene from carrots, which the body converts into vitamin A; essential for maintaining good eyesight, skin health and bolstering the immune system. Coriander, with its bounty of antioxidants, vitamins, and fibre, contributes to overall well-being, providing anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits.
• Taste Profile: The sweet taste of carrots melds with the aromatic spice of ground coriander and the herbal freshness of coriander leaves to create a soup that is not only tasty but also soul-soothing.
• Versatility: Suitable for vegetarians and easily adaptable for vegans by substituting dairy ingredients, this soup aligns with various dietary preferences.
• Caloric Content: It is low in calories, making it an excellent choice for those monitoring their energy intake, yet it remains a filling dish.

The soup is a delightful starter that reflects the virtues of home cooking, combining ease, nutrition, and taste into one dish that’s hard to resist.

Top Tips

• To infuse the soup with a robust flavour, opt for freshly picked coriander leaves over the dried variety. If the stems show tenderness, include them too since they pack additional flavour.
• One may tailor the soup’s thickness to their liking. For a denser texture, lessen the liquid, augment the carrot content or add some potatoes. Conversely, for a more fluid soup, introduce extra stock or water, or limit the carrots used.
• Introducing a dash of lemon zest or a squeeze of juice can drastically enhance the soup, offering a vibrant tang that nicely offsets the natural sweetness of the carrots. Lime can make a suitable alternative for a different citrus twist.
• Spicy Carrot and Coriander Soup: For those who favour a soup with a spicy character, a sprinkling of chilli powder or flakes will introduce a pleasant warmth that harmoniously aligns with the coriander’s taste. Feel free to substitute with fresh chillies or a dollop of chilli paste for an even more pronounced heat.

Complementing the dish with a side of crusty bread or freshly baked bread can provide a textural variety, turning the meal into a heartier experience. Moreover, blending the soup in a food processor until smooth, followed by a swirl of cream, can give it an irresistible creamy consistency. Remember, the soup’s quality is greatly influenced by the cooking time, so ensure it strikes a perfect balance between the flavours and textures.

FAQs

Alternatives to Vegetable Stock

Indeed, one can substitute vegetable stock with chicken stock for a richer and more robust flavour. It’s recommended to select a low-sodium option or modify the soup’s seasoning to balance the higher salt content typically found in chicken stock.

Using Non-Dairy Milk Variants

Substituting dairy milk with a non-dairy alternative is perfectly acceptable and caters to those with lactose intolerance or those following a vegan diet. Options such as almond, soy, oat, or coconut milk can enhance the soup’s creaminess without introducing dairy.

Soup Storage Duration

Storage	Fridge	Freezer
Duration	3 days	3 months

Ensure the soup is completely chilled prior to sealing it in an airtight container for storage. To reheat, either use a microwave, stirring occasionally, or warm it gently in a saucepan with periodic stirring.

Incorporating Additional Vegetables

Adding a variety of vegetables to the soup is a fantastic way to increase its nutritional value and introduce a burst of colour. Potential inclusions could be celery, leek, parsnips, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, or squash. It is important to dice these additional ingredients to a size comparable to the carrots and to potentially lengthen the cooking time to accommodate these extras.

Utilising Dried Coriander Seeds

Should ground coriander be unavailable, one can resort to using dried coriander seeds. It’s advised to grind them personally, using either a mortar and pestle or spice grinder. Alternatively, lightly toasting the seeds in a pan till aromatic, followed by crushing, is also effective. The quantity used may need to be adjusted based on the fineness of the grind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Additional Seasonings Will Make Carrot and Coriander Soup Hotter?

To intensify the heat in carrot and coriander soup, consider integrating spices that pack a punch. Here’s a quick list:

• Chilli Powder: A pinch or two can significantly raise the temperature.
• Cayenne Pepper: Sprinkle sparingly for an added kick.
• Fresh Red Chilli: Finely diced for those who prefer a fresh spice.

Adapting Mary Berry’s Soup to Include Parsnips

To incorporate parsnips into your carrot and coriander soup, follow these simple modifications:

• Proportion: Use equal parts carrot and parsnip to retain a balanced flavour profile.
• Cooking Time: Parsnips may take slightly longer to soften, so adjust simmering time accordingly.

Slow Cooker Carrot and Coriander Soup Tips

Making this soup in a slow cooker is straightforward. Here’s how:

• Preparation: Sauté onions and spices as usual, then transfer to the slow cooker.
• Cook Time: Cook on low for approximately 6 hours or on high for 3 hours.
• Final Step: Blend until smooth before serving.

Modifications for a Slimming World-Friendly Soup

Creating a version of this soup suitable for Slimming World involves a few tweaks:

• Butter/Oil: Use low-calorie spray instead to sauté ingredients.
• Stock: Ensure it’s made with Slimming World-friendly stock cubes or homemade without added fat.

Soup Maker Techniques for Carrot and Coriander Soup

Maximise the potential of a soup maker with these tips:

• Chopping: Cut vegetables into even pieces for consistent cooking.
• Layering: Start with the onions, then add carrots, and spices.
• Consistency: Use the soup maker’s blend function to achieve the desired texture.

Comparing Mary Berry’s Recipe to Other Celebrity Chefs

The main distinctions between Mary Berry’s carrot and coriander soup and those by Jamie Oliver or the Hairy Bikers are often in the specifics:

• Ingredients: Mary Berry’s recipe might utilise fewer or different additional ingredients compared to the others.
• Preparation Methods: Cooking techniques and times may vary from chef to chef.
• Flavour Profiles: Each chef puts their unique twist on the seasoning mix, which affects the overall taste.

Make sure to personalise these recipes based on your preferences and dietary needs while maintaining the essence of the classic soup.