Carrot Soup with Croutons

 Ingredients: 500 g carrots, 2-3 medium potatoes, 3 cloves of garlic, 1/2 large lemon (1 small lemon), a pinch of ground cumin, 2 tablespoons of oil, salt, ground white pepper, chili pepper for serving (optional), fresh parsley.

To prepare a delicious carrot and potato puree, we start by cleaning the vegetables. We take the carrots and potatoes, wash them under a stream of cold water to remove any impurities, and then peel them with a sharp knife. Once peeled, we cut them into slices about one centimeter thick, so they cook evenly.

In a large pot, we place the slices of carrots and potatoes to boil in salted water, enough to cover them completely. We boil the vegetables over medium heat until they become tender, which takes about 15-20 minutes. Once boiled, we drain them and transfer them to a large bowl or blender. We mash the vegetables until we achieve a smooth and creamy puree, without large chunks. If you prefer a fluffier puree, you can use a potato masher instead of a blender.

After obtaining the puree, we put it back in the pot and add water in equal amount to the puree, to obtain a thick soup. We place the pot over medium heat and let it boil. Meanwhile, we take a few cloves of garlic, peel them, and mash them until they become a paste. We add the mashed garlic to the pot with the puree, along with two tablespoons of oil, which will add a rich and aromatic flavor to our soup.

To intensify the flavors, we sprinkle a pinch of ground cumin, add freshly ground white pepper, and salt to taste. Finally, we squeeze the juice from half a lemon, a choice that will add a note of freshness and acidity. If you would like a more sour taste, feel free to add an extra splash of lemon juice. We let the soup come to a boil 1-2 times, stirring occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

We serve this soup hot, sprinkled with finely chopped green parsley, which will add a vibrant color and fresh taste. If desired, you can also add slices of chili pepper for a bit of spice. Don't forget the bread croutons, which will provide a crunchy texture and a pleasant contrast to the creamy soup. This simple and tasty recipe is perfect for chilly days or when you need a comforting dish. Enjoy your meal!

 Tags:  greenery garlic carrots soups potatoes pepper oil lemon lactose-free recipes vegetarian recipes recipes for children recipes for hepatitis recipes for hypertensives fat-free recipes