I know it’s early, I know I probably shouldn’t have done it – but it’s too late now, it’s happened. Last week, I made the momentous decision to transition. Gone are the black tights, gone are the warm winter coats and knee-high boots. That’s right, my winter wardrobe has been replaced with all things summer!
Last week, temperatures soared into the late-20s, making it the hottest April in the UK on record since 1949. But, of course, in true British fashion, the weather is set to nosedive back down again. Typical. I’m not surprised, but I will not surrender – I’m sick of living in stupid Narnia. So, if you see a rather pasty, 30-something woman, wearing denim shorts and a sun hat, shivering at a bus stop this week in the rain, pay her no heed.
So, in preparation for these plummeting temperatures, I’ve made a warming carrot and ginger soup for Jamie to spoon into my mouth as I curse my idiotic decision. It’s topped with a beautifully creamy cashew nut cream, which may be a new idea to some of you. I love cashew nut cream, my mum used to make it occasionally and pour it all over my apple crumble. It’s a great dairy-free alternative to cream, and goes wonderfully well with sweet or savoury dishes. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the cashew nut cream really makes this soup, so I strongly recommend you take the time to soak those cashews – you won’t regret it. Enjoy!
Carrot & ginger soup with cashew cream
Serves 4 / Hands on time 35 mins / Total time 50 mins + soaking / V Vn Df Gf ❄
You’ll need: A food processor
1 tbs olive oil
600g carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
1 white onion, peeled and roughly chopped
3 garlic cloves, peeled and bashed
1 large knob of ginger (roughly 50g), grated
½ tsp ground nutmeg
1 can chickpeas, drained
1 ½ litre of vegetable stock, I use 1 ½ Knorr stock pots
Cashew cream
150g cashews
¼ tsp salt
1 small garlic clove, crushed
Squeeze of lemon juice
150ml water
Method
1. The night before, soak 150g of cashews in a bowl of water overnight.
2. Preheat your oven to 220°C/200°C fan/400°F/gas mark 7. Peel and roughly chop the carrots and put them in a large roasting tray, along with the grated ginger, chopped onion, bashed garlic, nutmeg and olive oil. Season well with salt and pepper and give it all a good mix, before roasting in the oven for 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, make the cashew cream. Rinse and drain the cashews and put them in a food processor along with 150ml of water, a crushed garlic clove, a squeeze of lemon juice, salt and pepper. Blitz for around 5-7 minutes or until you have a smooth creamy consistency. Put to one side.
3. Once the carrots are roasted, carefully pour them into a large cooking pot before adding a litre of vegetable stock and a drained can of chickpeas. Season with salt and pepper and bring to the boil. Simmer for 5 minutes before blending either in a food processor or with a hand blender.
4. Pour into bowls, top with lashing of cashew cream and serve with bread.
If you’ve had a go at making any of my recipes, I’d love to hear from you. Follow me now @corrieheale and tag your recipe pictures using #corriesrabbitfood.
V– Vegetarian Vn– Vegan Gf– Gluten free Df– Dairy free
❄– Suitable for home freezing once cooled. Consume within 3 months. Freeze cashew cream separately. Keep for up to 3 months.
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