CARROT SOUP WITH A TWIST

I have not been able to write for last few days as I was extremely busy completing food orders for the weddings. I was also down with fever , accompanied with usual body-ache , chill running down my body and complete loss of appetite.Yesterday when my maid asked me what I wanted to eat, I immediately said-NOTHING.She suggested -गाजर का सौप पी लीजिये. Somehow appealed to me and I told her to make carrot soup with slight twist.To my delight, this recipe turned out to be very interesting and fulfilling. 

CARROT SOUP WITH BELL PEPPER SALSA

                                                            

INGREDIENTS

1. Carrots , peeled and diced-2no
2. Onion, diced- 1no.
3. Ginger, chopped- 1 inch piece
4. Garlic, 2 cloves
5. Olive oil-1tbsp
6. Bay leaf-1no
7. Vegetable stock/water-3cups
8. Lemon-1/2
9. Lemon rind-a small pinch 
10. Parsley sprig- to garnish
11. Ginger powder- a pinch( optional)
12. Olive oil, to drizzle( optional) -2tsp
13. Salt and pepper to taste

For Salsa

1. Red bell pepper, finely chopped-2tbsp
2. Yellow bell pepper, finely chopped-2tbsp
3. Green bell pepper, finely chopped-2 tbsp
4. Fresh basil leaves, finely chopped- 5-6 leaves 
5. Salt to taste

METHOD 

1. Heat olive oil in a sauce pan. Add onion,carrots, ginger and garlic. Saute till onions turn translucent. Take care that vegetables do not change colour.
2. Add stock/water, bay leaf and simmer till vegetables soften.
3. Cool the mixture and the liquidise.Strain and again heat it. Add salt, pepper and pinch of lemon rind.
4. Mix all ingredients for salsa. 
5. Pour hot soup in soup bowls( preferably flat ones) and place portion of salsa in the centre.
6. Drizzle little olive oil and sprinkle little ginger powder.
7. Garnish with parsley sprig and add few drops lemon if desired.

This is a very delicious, highly nutritious, wholesome winter soup. Ginger and lemon give a tangy twist and salsa adds a crunch and visual appeal. Simple, staid, boring carrot soup becomes desirable with this makeover.So go ahead and make this soup as a prime attraction at your PARTY!!!