Ital Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup for #SundaySupper

Feb 24, 2013 by

Winter is wonderful for many reasons. Sure it is cold, but you get to indulge just a little and have foods that you probably wouldn’t have in warmer weather. I love a good hearty thick soup with texture and things to chew on. But I’m not opposed to a rich flavourful broth filled with goodness. This our Souper #SundaySupper edition. You guessed it ~ its all about soups. We will be sharing soups that can be loved year round. Our lovely host this week is Pam from The Meltaways. Whatever your fancy, we will have a soup for your liking.

I am sharing a soup from a cookbook by Levi Roots called Caribbean Food Made Easy. I adore the soups in this book. The last one I made was Black Bean Soup with Hot Roast Pepper Cream and it was wonderfully delicious. This recipe, Ital Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup, is just as wonderful with a bright colour, rich in beta carotene, fibre and other nutrients. I chose to omit the scotch bonnet pepper this time though. I really wanted the kids to try it 🙂 A little heat will bring this soup to the next level.

 Ital Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup1

 

Oh, and for those who are unfamiliar with the term “Ital” it is a term mostly used by Rastafarians and means pure and natural (pertaining to food and lifestyle). Ital is a derivative of the word Vital.  Ital Food, is food that is produced from the earth. Ideally, this food is grown without pesticides or as we say in North America, Organic. But aside from that, it is basically a vegetarian way of life. Not all the ingredients in this recipe were organic, but I feel really good about it regardless 🙂

 

Ital2

Ital
Image created by Lyn of The Lovely Pantry

 

(I could totally live like this if only I didn’t like a little thing called bacon.)

 

Ital Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup for #SundaySupper

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Yield: 4

Ingredients

  • 4 Cups Pure Carrot Juice
  • 2 Sweet Potatoes, washed, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 1 540ml Can Salt Free Chickpeas, drained
  • 4 cm Chunk of creamed coconut (I used Grace brand Cream of Coconut)
  • 1 Inch Fresh Ginger, peeled and finely chopped
  • 1 Clove Garlic, finely minced
  • Leaves from 2 Springs Fresh Thyme (about a tsp)
  • 2 Cups Baby Spinach, washed and dried (cut into thin strips just before adding to the soup)
  • 1 Tbsp Unsalted Butter (optional)
  • A pinch of Black Pepper
  • Fat Free Sour Cream to serve (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a medium pot, bring carrot juice to a gentle boil. Remove any foam that develops with a spoon and discard.
  2. Add sweet potatoes, chickpeas, creamed coconut, ginger, garlic and thyme.
  3. Cover and allow to simmer for about 30 minutes
  4. Check to see that the sweet potato is soft enough to mash.
  5. Using an immersion blender (or potato masher) blend to your desired consistency
  6. Stir to combine. The soup will be thick. If it is too thick, adjust consistency to your liking by adding more carrot juice
  7. Cover and simmer for about 2 minutes
  8. Shred the spinach
  9. Stir the soup and add the spinach. Cover and simmer for about 5 more minutes.
  10. Add butter and stir before serving
  11. Season with black pepper
  12. Garnish with sour cream (optional)

Notes

Adapted from Caribbean Food Made Easy

https://lovelypantry.com/2013/02/ital-carrot-and-sweet-potato-soup-for-sundaysupper/

 

I used packaged cream of coconut, but if I were in the tropics I would (or perhaps get someone else to) crack open a coconut and get the milk from it!

 

Ital Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup-1

Ingredients to make Ital Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup

 

Not often do you hear of a broth being replaced by the juice of a vegetable. I loved that the carrot juice was the base of this soup. Thankfully Organic Carrot Juice is available for purchase. This soup was ready in under an hour. Imagine adding juicing time to that plus clean-up. This way is much better. You may have noticed that salt was not added to this soup. I was tempted to add it but I found that the flavour was great without it! Truly Ital!

 

Ital Carrot & Sweet Potato Prep

Ital Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup
Puree using an immersion blender to your desired texture and consistency. Add spinach after blending.

 

I chose to serve this wonderful soup with some homemade bread. I toasted it and added butter while the bread was still hot. Pure bliss! I’ll be sharing the recipe for this very, very special bread soon.

 

Ital Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup-7a

Ital Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup

 

Although the sour cream was optional, I enjoyed it so much with this soup!! It was perfect on its own, but the tangy flavour with the natural sweetness of the soup was a great combination. This soup is hubby approved! He loved it and also loved that it was Ital 🙂

 

Ital Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup-8a

Ital Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup

 

The #SundaySupper team have some amazing soups to share with you. Please take your time and find inspiration from the recipe links below:

Chicken (or other poultry) Soups

 

Beef Soups

 

Pork (or Sausage) Soups

 

Seafood Soups

 

Vegetables Soups

 

Chilled Soups

 

***

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world.

Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and you do not want to miss out on the fun.

Follow the #SundaySupper hash tag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat.

Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

Join us Around the Family Table this Sunday at 7pm Eastern Time and share your favorite healthy recipes with us!

 

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Top 12 Recipes of 2012 – What a great year!

Dec 31, 2012 by

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, spent with family and friends. I took the week off to do my last-minute running around, making sorrel, baking cakes, doing some light housework, spent a day out of town… the family was quite busy. I even surprised myself when I realized that I had not physically been on the computer for 3 whole days. This type of scenario does not happen often. But it was all for a good cause, seeing as it was the most wonderful time of the year.

Well, it’s the end of 2012 and as I reflect, I know very well that I have much to be thankful for. I’m satisfied with my accomplishments in blogging and I’m ready for what 2013 has to offer. Bring it on! There’s so much more to be done! I feel like making some changes at The Lovely Pantry. I’m still tossing some ideas around in my head so I’m not 100% sure what I’ll be doing. Growth is a wonderful thing.

I don’t do resolutions anymore. If I really want to accomplish something, I will just do it. It’s just a matter of timing and priority. There are a few recipes that I plan to conquer in the new year. I’m creating a list of things I want to learn, both in and outside of the kitchen. As a life long learner, I don’t feel comfortable if I’m not growing in some way or the other. Looking at my posts throughout 2012, I see lots of growth. I see improvement in my photography and in the types of recipes that I’ve challenged myself with.

 

Lets take a look at what had people’s attention. Here are the top 12 posts for 2012 at The Lovely Pantry!

 

 

Top Recipes 2012 - The Lovely Pantry

Top Recipes 2012 – The Lovely Pantry

 

 

The top 3 posts:

Cristina Ferrare’s Fall Off The Bone Chicken Thighs

This is my most popular post to date!

Fall Off The Bone Chicken Thighs, Recipe by Cristina Ferrare

Fall Off The Bone Chicken Thighs, Recipe by Cristina Ferrare

 

Hoisin Salmon with Quinoa & Zucchini

Everyone seemed to enjoy my very easy freestyle salmon. It went nuts on Pinterest!

Hoisin Salmon with Quinoa & Zucchini

Hoisin Salmon with Quinoa & Zucchini

 

Whole Wheat French Toast

I guess it must be true when folks say “simple is best”. This post has always been popular, ever since it was published in February 2012.

Whole Wheat French Toast

Whole Wheat French Toast

 

The remaining posts are in no particular order.

 

Polenta, Parmesan, Mozzarella and Tomato

Polenta, Mozzarella, Tomato

Polenta, Mozzarella, Tomato

 

Roasted Pumpkin & Coconut Soup

Roasted Pumpkin & Coconut Soup

Roasted Pumpkin & Coconut Soup

 

Bavarian Apple Torte

Bavarian Apple Torte

Bavarian Apple Torte

 

Jamaican Cornmeal Pudding

Cornmeal Pudding with Rum, Raisins and French Vanilla Ice Cream

Cornmeal Pudding with Rum, Raisins and French Vanilla Ice Cream

 

Black Bean Soup With Hot Roast Pepper Sauce

Black Bean Soup with Hot Roast Pepper Cream

Black Bean Soup with Hot Roast Pepper Cream

 

Grilled Polenta Cakes

Grilled Polenta Cakes

Grilled Polenta Cakes

 

Jamaican Sorrel

Jamaican Sorrel

Jamaican Sorrel

 

 Banana Coconut Coffee Cake with Macadamia Nut Streusel

Banana Coconut Coffee Cake With Macadamia Nut Streusel

Banana Coconut Coffee Cake With Macadamia Nut Streusel

 

Jamaican Christmas Pudding

Jamaican Christmas Pudding with Hot Wine Sauce

Jamaican Christmas Pudding with Hot Wine Sauce

 

I want to say a very special thanks to the #SundaySupper family. It feels good to be a part of such an incredible group of people who share a common cause – to get families together to enjoy a home cooked meal on a Sunday. It could be on any day of the week, as long as it is possible. Sharing ideas for meals for your family is what I enjoy doing, and I spend a lot of time sharing on Twitter and Pinterest. Congratulations Isabel, for your amazing success! I can’t wait to see what 2013 has in store for #SundaySupper!

 I really love my little blog. I’m quite fond of the wonderful people and communities I’ve joined along this journey.

I want to thank each and every one of you who read/comment on my posts.It means so much to me.

To the friends that have made recipe suggestions and offered advice with regards to technique/instructions, I thank you!

For those that have suggested The Lovely Pantry to friends/family who are looking for meal ideas, have an interest in Jamaican cuisine, or who are just wanting to know how to use a certain ingredient… I appreciate you!

Consider joining me on Facebook and Twitter to keep up whats new on TLP, or just stop by to say hello.

 Have a blessed and wonderful New Year!

Happy 2013

~Lyn

 

 

 

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Black Bean Soup With Hot Roast Pepper Cream for #SundaySupper

Nov 4, 2012 by

It’s November and the boots and coats are officially necessary when going outdoors. The weather has been terrible and watching the news has been quite depressing. Hurricane Sandy did some serious damage in the Caribbean as well as the East Coast of The United States and parts of Eastern Canada. My heart goes out to all those affected. While I was making this soup, I thought about my friends/family in Jamaica who went several days without electricity – and some without water. Thankfully, everything is returning to some sort of normal, as life indeed has to go on.

I really like this weeks theme for #SundaySupper. There’s nothing better than a home-made soul warming meal on a wet, cold, gloomy day. I don’t know about you guys, but I feel better when I’m with my family eating a nice soup or stew with the family! I was so impressed with the line up this week,  I encourage you all to check out the wonderful dishes prepared by my fellow food bloggers. This weeks #SundaySupper is being hosted by Susan from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen.

My recipe today comes from a book I bought while I was in Jamaica last year called Caribbean Food Made Easy by Levi Roots. I didn’t have to make many changes at all. Most of the ingredients I already had on hand – whether in my fridge or in my pantry. I’m really thinking about having soup more often. My husband absolutely loved this soup and asked me to kindly note this soup as a definite favourite. Enough said! This soup made about 6-8 servings and I was able to freeze 3 servings for lunch this week.

I should note that I used Scotch Bonnet Pepper in this recipe. I have never been able to fully enjoy spicy food. Seriously. But somehow this soup hit the spot in the best way, because I enjoyed it immensely! I also did an extra step because I’m picky with my gravies and creams. I strained the pepper cream – which was a task because it is rather thick. This step is totally optional, but I do like the smooth creamy texture that resulted in me doing so.

 

Black Bean Soup With Hot Roast Pepper Cream

 

Black Bean Soup With Hot Roast Pepper Cream for #SundaySupper
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
A hearty soup, perfect for the fall or winter season. Can be served as an appetizer or as a main dish.
Author:
Recipe type: Main
Cuisine: Jamaican
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
  • For the soup:
  • 1 Tbsp Grapeseed Oil
  • 1 Tbsp Butter
  • 1 Onion, finely chopped
  • 1 Large Carrot, finely diced
  • 1 Stick of Celery, thinly sliced
  • 2 Garlic Cloves, minced
  • 1½ Tsp Ground Cumin
  • 1 900ml Carton Chicken Broth (I used no salt added)
  • 3 540ml/19oz Cans Black Beans, rinsed and drained
  • Salt & Pepper
  • For the cream:
  • 2 Red Sweet Peppers, cut in half, seeds removed
  • ½ Scotch Bonnet Pepper, seeds removed
  • Olive Oil
  • Juice of ½ lime
  • 2 oz Double Cream (I used Whipping Cream)
  • A pinch of Kosher Salt
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350F (roast)
  2. Brush sweet peppers with olive oil (both sides) and roast for 30 minutes
  3. Place the peppers along with any juices into a blender along with the scotch bonnet, lime juice, cream and salt. Blend until smooth.
  4. Optional: strain the pepper cream and store in a jar.
  5. Refrigerate until needed.
  6. In a dutch oven, add the grapeseed oil and butter over medium-low heat.
  7. Add the onion, carrots, celery and garlic.
  8. Sautee for a few minutes and then add about 2 tbsp water. Cover for about 15 minutes. Check every few minutes to ensure that the vegetables do not burn.
  9. Add cumin and stir to combine
  10. Add black beans and chicken stock. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer
  11. Cover for about 20 minutes
  12. Remove from heat and allow to cool for about 15 minutes
  13. Using an immersion blender, blend until smooth or a desired consistency is achieved
  14. Reheat the soup, stir to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  15. Serve hot with a few spoons of the pepper cream on top
Notes
Recipe from Caribbean Food Made Easy by Levi Roots

Black Bean Soup & Hot Roast Pepper Cream

 

I absolutely love the vibrant orange and the creamy texture of the Hot Roast Pepper Cream. For those who love the heat, use a whole scotch bonnet pepper. It’s only a few teaspoons of the cream that gets stirred into each serving of the soup. So the intensity of the pepper does get toned down a little bit.

 

Hot Roast Pepper Cream

 

Scotch Bonnet Peppers! A staple in every Jamaican home (well, almost every Jamaican home).

 

Jamaican Scotch Bonnet Pepper

 

Photography by Lyn of The Lovely Pantry

Black Bean Soup with Hot Roast Pepper Cream. A perfect appetizer or main for an autumn or winter night.

 

Here are the soul warming recipes brought to you by the #SundaySupper team! Please share, pin, email, print, make and enjoy!

Main Entrees: 

Chili/Stews:

Soups:

Desserts/Beverages:

Join on us on Twitter throughout the day during #SundaySupper.  In the evening we will meet at 7pm EST for our weekly #SundaySupper live chat.

All you have to do is follow the #SundaySupper hashtag or you can follow us through TweetChat.

We’d also love to feature your Sunday Supper Soul Warming Recipes on our #SundaySupper Pinterest board and share them with all of our followers, too.

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Chicken, Corn & Edamame Chowder with Roasted Potato

Jan 16, 2012 by

I’ve made chowder once before and by all means it was okay. But when I came across a recipe by a fellow Food Blogger by the name of Nami of Just One Cookbook, I had to give it a try. The main difference between this recipe and the one I had done previously, was the use of Rotisserie Chicken and Roasted Potatoes. Those two by themselves sound like pure yum, and then I made a soup out of it.

Nami’s version called for a cup of Heavy Cream as the thickening agent for this recipe. To substitute, I was prepared to make a roux of some kind on the fly, but thankfully, Nami was able to tell me her quick trick (as listed in the recipe) in under 140 characters while I was preparing the chowder. Yay Nami! I omitted the bacon (I know, maybe next time) and added Edamame for a nice pop of colour and because I like the added fibre and protein 🙂

I can’t tell you how happy I was to make this chowder. I look forward to making it again. I will not omit the bacon, though ~ that’s a promise 🙂 Here is my amended recipe below.

5.0 from 1 reviews
 
Notes
 

This chowder was just lovely!

Chicken, Corn & Edamame Chowder with Roasted Potato

 

Have a wonderful week!

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