Immune Boosting Carrot, Ginger & Orange Soup

A wholesome vegetarian soup that beats colds and flus

Whenever I was feeling under the weather my lovely mum Wendy would make me this delicious immune-boosting soup since I was never a fan of traditional chicken soup. It is an adaption of a few recipes in one to make it plant-based and full of antioxidants and immune fighting ingredients. Ingredients:

• 1 kg carrots, roughly chopped
• 1 brown onion, peeled and roughly chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
• 2cm knob ginger, peeled and grated
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 litre vegetable stock
• 2 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup to be vegan)
• Juice from 1 orange
• Grated carrot & chives to serve
• Dollop of Yoghurt (Optional)

Method:

1. Heat a large heavy base pot over high heat
2. Add in the olive oil and gently saute the onion, garlic and ginger until soft for approximately 2 minutes.
3. Add in the roughly chopped carrots with all the spices.
4. Stir and mix in well together until the spices become fragrant.
5. Add in the stock and bring the pot to a boil. Once boiled gently simmer for around 25 minutes or until the carrots are soft.
6. Add the honey and the juice of the orange.
7. Use a blender to puree until smooth. This can be pureed until smooth or left with more texture to your liking.
8. Taste and season with salt and pepper as required.

To serve, grate carrot on top and decorate with chives. For a milder taste (great for kids!) add a dollop of your favourite Greek yoghurt.