Are you ready to transform your ordinary meal into an extraordinary culinary experience? Imagine a soup that's not just delicious, but also packed with incredible nutrition and flavor that will make your taste buds dance! This Quinoa and Carrot Soup is your ultimate answer to a quick, healthy, and incredibly satisfying meal that takes just 40 minutes to prepare. Whether you're a busy professional, a health-conscious foodie, or simply someone who loves exploring vegetarian delights, this recipe is about to become your new go-to comfort food.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Vegetarian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by rinsing 1 cup of quinoa under cold water in a fine-mesh strainer. This helps to remove any bitterness from the quinoa's outer coating.
- In a large pot, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
- Add the diced carrots to the pot and continue to sauté for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the carrots start to soften.
- Stir in the rinsed quinoa and 1 teaspoon of cumin. Cook for another 2 minutes, allowing the quinoa to toast slightly and absorb the flavors of the onion and carrot.
- Pour in 4 cups of vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let it simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the quinoa is cooked and the carrots are tender.
- After 20 minutes, check the soup for seasoning. Add salt and pepper to taste. If you prefer a smoother texture, you can use an immersion blender to puree some of the soup, leaving some chunks for texture.
- Once the soup is seasoned to your liking, remove it from the heat and let it sit for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve the quinoa and carrot soup hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy your healthy and hearty vegetarian meal!
Tips
- Always rinse quinoa thoroughly to remove its natural saponin coating, which can cause a bitter taste.
- Toast the quinoa with spices for 2-3 minutes before adding liquid to enhance its nutty flavor profile.
- Use fresh, high-quality vegetable broth for the most robust taste.
- For extra creaminess, consider blending half the soup while leaving some chunks for texture.
- Experiment with garnishes like fresh herbs, a dollop of Greek yogurt, or a sprinkle of toasted seeds for added complexity.
- If you prefer a thinner soup, simply add more broth; for a thicker consistency, let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes.
- This soup tastes even better the next day, so don't hesitate to make it in advance!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 30g
Protein: 8g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
