Velvety Thai Carrot Soup with Coconut Water Ice Cubes

Serves 8

The lovely orange colour is not the only attraction in this cool soup. There’s a distinct “umami” experience going on that’s beautifully complemented by a coconut ice cube and coriander garnish.

1 1/2 Tbsp (30 ml) unsalted butter
450 g carrots, peeled and chopped, about 3 cups (750 ml)
1 onion, peeled and diced
3 tsp (15 ml) peeled, finely grated fresh ginger
1 garlic clove, crushed
2 cups (500 ml) reduced-salt chicken stock
400 ml can coconut milk
1 1/2 Tbsp (30 ml) red curry paste
1 tsp (5 ml) light brown sugar or coconut sugar
1 1/2 Tbsp (30 ml) fresh lime juice
Dried red chillies
1 1/2 cups (350 ml) coconut water
12 small coriander sprigs
Sea salt and freshly ground white pepper (optional)

Heat butter in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add carrots, onion, ginger and garlic. Reduce heat to medium. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until carrots are tender, about 20 minutes. Be careful not to scorch carrots and onion. Add a splash of water if necessary.

When carrots are tender, stir in chicken stock, coconut milk, curry paste, sugar and lime juice. Bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 10 minutes for flavours to blend. Remove from heat and stir in a generous pinch of chillies. Set aside to slightly cool.

To make coconut water ice cubes, pour coconut water into ice cube tray. Press coriander sprig into each. Freeze.

When soup has slightly cooled, whirl in blender or use hand-held immersion blender and purée until very smooth. Strain through fine-meshed strainer if you wish. Press piece of perfectly fitted baking paper onto surface of soup and refrigerate until cold.

When ice cubes are frozen, soup is ready to serve. Taste and add a little more lime juice and seasonings of salt and pepper if needed. Ladle into small serving bowls and garnish with coconut ice cube.

Each serving contains: 812 kilojoules; 3 g protein; 15 g total fat (13 g sat. fat, 0 g trans fat); 14 g total carbohydrates (7 g sugars, 3 g fibre); 332 mg sodium

source: "Cool Summer Soups", alive Australia #22, Summer 2014