Friday, May 6, 2011

Creamy Carrot Soup


Today, in most parts of the U.S., is just another Friday.  But here, in Louisville, KY (and well, most parts of Kentucky in general) it's more like a holiday!  What "holiday" you ask?!  Why it's Kentucky Derby weekend!  Louisville seriously gets their party on.  Most places of employment have a 4 day weekend (or others just make sure to ask for the days off!).  Celebrities come into town and all that jazz.  All for a couple of horse races that take maybe 2 minutes to finish!  But you know, I don't think it's really all about the horse races (although it is tradition) more than it is about getting all dressed up and drinking.

And the hats!  When most people think of the Kentucky Derby, I think a Derby hat is one of the first things that come to mind! 

While I won't be donning a Derby hat this year (nor have I ever) I'll be spending today at Churchill Downs for the Oaks - sipping Mint Juleps and looking as good as I can (seriously, my dress is hella cute!) and hopefully meeting up with some friends!  My sister has offered to give us a ride down there (she's freakin' awesome!) and hopefully we'll end up finding a ride back home, too - so no worries of being unsafe!

Anyway, we've got a Derby party to attend to on Saturday and I need to bring something with me!  So help me out and vote in this week's poll!



This is not really a Derby recipe, but I was really in the mood for soup, so soup it is!


Ingredients:
Adapted from The Meaning of Pie's recipe


1 small onion, diced
2 ribs of celery, chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
5 large carrots, peeled and sliced
1 white potato, cubed
4 cups chicken broth
1 to 2 teaspoons hot sauce (like Tabasco or Sriracha) 
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
3 bay leaves
1 teaspoon sugar
Salt and Pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 cup milk

In a large Dutch oven, melt the butter under medium high heat.  Add onions and celery and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.


Add in carrots, potatoes, and chicken broth.  Simmer for about 5 minutes or so.

Stir in Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, sugar, salt, pepper, and cayenne.  Let simmer on medium to medium low for about 30 minutes.

Remove bay leaves and blend up soup with an immersion blender until you reach your desired consistency.  Slowly stir in the milk until incorporated.  Ladle soup into bowls and serve with a drizzle of olive oil and garnish with croutons.


This was a quick one-pot meal that was a really tasty lunch!  Now, if you'll excuse me - I'm heading to the Oaks!  Have a great weekend guys!

34 comments:

  1. I love carrot soup! I was reluctant to cook it since I thought kids may not like it...but they are getting old and it's time to introduce the soup, a GOOD one! I'm going to use your recipe. :-) Wish me luck. I love the color of fresh carrot soup. Have a great Derby weekend Peggy!

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  2. Looks creamy and delicious! Love its color too..

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  3. Ooh, I like the color of your carrot soup. Very different than all the mint julep and Derby pie posts I've seen.

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  4. I have got to try your soup. It looks fantastic and I love carrot soup.

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  5. What a lovely color... Looks so inviting and loved the crispy bread pieces on top...

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  6. soup looks so creamy and perfect...feel like having it right away..yum yum

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  7. Yay to the Derby! I love the color of this soup.

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  8. I love your presentation, fantastic recipe and gorgeous photos!!!Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful weekend!

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  9. I love the bright orange color of your soup! Looks healthy and creamy!I voted! Though all the derby choices sound fantastic. Have fun!

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  10. Mmmmm I love carrot soup. Diane

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  11. I love the vibrant colour and creaminess of this soup. And adding Worcestershire is a GREAT idea! Thanks for sharing this, Peggy :).

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  12. Love the soup and the colour looks gorgeous.

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  13. what a color of soup, I am in love with it.

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  14. Nice recipe, nice photos. BTW, do you know it took me a good 30 minutes to get your ridiculous http address into my blog so I can follow you?

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  15. That soup looks great! So vibrant and delectable

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  16. Fun fun fun! That soup looks so vibrantly orange that you know it just has to be delicious!

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  17. Beautiful soup. I made a carrot soup and was amazed at the delicious flavor.

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  18. The soup sounds healthy and tasty! Love the addition of croutons.

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  19. I'd love to eat this soup with a huge derby hat on! :)Ps- What in the world is a Kentucky Hot Brown sandwich? Ha!

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  20. Oh gosh, I love this! I think you read my mind!! I was wondering what to do with those few carrots ... now I know!!

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  21. Love this soup, Peggy! Anything with Tabasco in it is a winner. Hope you're having a fun weekend at the Derby! :-)

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  22. A healthy yummy dish indeed! Have a good weekend!

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  23. What a beautiful soup! I love carrots and love creamy soups so win-win!

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  24. Nom nom nom. Creamy vegetable soups like this are my favorite. I love carrots, so this looks like a winner.

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  25. Yum! I love the irony of carrot soup (you know, horses love carrots) on Derby day. Now I will have a trifecta of things to think of on Derby day, adding carrot soup to hats and Derby Pie.

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  26. The color is spot on n so appetizing ~ the texture looks so creamy n luscious too :)
    US Masala

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  27. Wow---looks amazing! I've never had carrot soup, but now I want it :)

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  28. thanks for stopping by my blog to comment on the big green egg. yes, definitely look into it. it's all the rage down south. it's a wonderful combo of part-smoker, part-grill. the flavor is unlike any grill we've ever had. it's turned my husband (who never cooks) it a grill-phenom. (and promise, i have no relationship with the "Egg" people... not a paid endorsement. just a happy owner ;-)

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  29. This soup sounds so great! I love pureed soups like this. I also just saw Regan's comment. We have a ceramic grill (exact same as the egg, but less expensive) and we adore it. It is worth the investment. We use it year round. Hope you had a fun weekend!

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  30. The soup looks delicious AND beautiful. Yum!

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  31. Congrats!!!! best soup ever! loved it,PEOPLE don't forget the olive oil at the end,it makes it perfect.

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  32. This has become a regular in our household! Thanks for the recipe. :-) We love it and it's so quick and easy and all the ingredients are usually on hand which makes it great for when I forget to plan dinner!

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