Spicy Roots Soup Food

SPICY ROOTS

Steps:

• Cut the parsnips and carrots into lozenges of about the same size. Peel the salsify under cold running water and rub with the cut lemon at the same time. Cut off the woody core and slice into similar sized lozenges.
• Sprinkle the parsnips with curry powder, and the carrots and salsify with 5-spice. Heat a large pan with the oil, then toss in the vegetables. After a minute, add the butter and garlic, season and continue to cook, stirring often, for up to 10 mins. If the vegetables start to colour too much, stir in 2-3 tbsp water to stop them burning. Toss through the marjoram leaves, allow to wilt then serve. Try serving this alongside lamb or robust game.

SWEET AND SPICY SWEET POTATO SOUP

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat; cook and stir shallots in the hot oil until soft, about 3 minutes. Stir apples, ginger, zest from 1 lime, red pepper flakes, and cayenne pepper into the pot. Reserve lime juice. Cook and stir mixture until apples are very soft, about 15 minutes.
• Pour chicken broth into pot; add sweet potatoes and salt. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Puree soup with an immersion blender until smooth. Stir reserved lime juice into soup. Garnish with lime wedges to serve.

SPICED ROOT VEGETABLE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large pan. Add the onions and fry for 5 mins until softened. Tip in the remaining veg and cook for another 5 mins, adding the chilli and cumin for final 2 mins.
• Add the lentils and stock to the pan. Bring to the boil, then lower heat and simmer for 25 mins until veg are tender and lentils are soft. Blitz until smooth with the milk and a little extra water or stock, if necessary. Season, then reheat until piping hot.
• Ladle into bowls and serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of chopped coriander.

SPICED ROOT SOUP WITH CRISP SPICED ONIONS

Steps:

• Peel and halve the onions through the root, then slice thinly lengthways. Heat 2 tbsp of the oil in a large pan, add half the onions and fry until just starting to colour. Add the mustard and cumin seeds and fry until nicely browned.
• Add vegetables and curry paste and stir until well coated. Pour in the stock and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, partly cover and simmer for 30 mins, until the vegetables are tender. Meanwhile, heat the remaining tbsp of oil in a small pan, add the onions and fry quickly until crisp and browned. Tip onto kitchen paper.
• Purée the soup in batches, then return to the pan and stir in most of the yogurt. Taste and add salt, if necessary. Reheat gently, then ladle into bowls and top each with a spoonful of yogurt, some fried onions and a scattering of roughly chopped coriander or parsley.