Creamy carrot soup

Make a comforting starter or lunch in no time with our creamy carrot soup, topped with garlicky seeded croutons. Quick and easy, it takes 30 minutes to make

Prep:5 mins
Cook:25 mins

Serves 4
Easy

Nutrition per serving

kcal 417
fat 15g
saturates 5g
carbs 53g
sugars 0g
fibre 10g
protein 11g
salt 1.73g

Ingredients

1½ tbsp oil
1 onion, sliced
1 celery stick, sliced
3 garlic cloves, 2 crushed and 1 left whole
1 kg carrots, thinly sliced
1.5 litre hot veg or chicken stock
½ small bunch of thyme
2 thick slices sourdough
1 tbsp mixed seeds
1 tbsp chopped parsley
1½ tbsp double cream, plus extra to serve (optional)

Method

Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a large saucepan or casserole pot. Fry the onion and celery gently for 5 mins. Add the crushed garlic and cook for 1 min more. Tip in the carrots, stock and thyme, then season and bring to the boil. Lower to a simmer and cook, covered, for 25 mins until the carrots are softened.
Meanwhile, heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Rub the whole garlic clove over both sides of the sourdough. Tear it into rough chunks and toss with the remaining oil, a good pinch of salt and the seeds. Spread out on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 mins until golden and crisp. Mix with the chopped parsley and set aside.
Remove the thyme from the pan and discard. Blitz the soup with a hand blender until smooth. Stir though the cream and season to taste. To serve, ladle the soup into four bowls, top with the croutons and drizzle over a little extra cream, if you like.

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