Moroccan Carrot Soup

Back in March, Collin and I purchased our very first home together.  It was ragged, beaten down and was practically obliterated by termites.  The woman who owned the house before us lived here for over 40 years and never did a single update.  I want you to imagine that — original wall paper and carpet, stove tops and ovens from back in the 70s, we even found a hoover vacuum cleaner back from the the 60s, and not to mention that the doors and walls had deeply yellowed with age.  It was just plain awful.

But together we saw something in this house: potential.  We knew with a little lot of hard work, we could make this into something liveable, something beautiful, something we’d be proud to call our very first home.  Finally now after 6 months, we’ve finished: new walls, new kitchen, new paint, new floors…the list goes on forever.  And let me tell you, it’s freaking fantastic.  As a way to celebrate our achievements, I’ve decided to throw a housewarming party this Saturday — complete with a roast pig, a keg, and plenty of food but most importantly sharing our new home with our family and friends.

In many ways this house has become representative of my personal struggles these past couple of years.  Since graduating college two years ago it has been a challenge to figure out what direction I wanted to take in my life, especially career wise.  At my lowest point, I felt like this house the way we first found it: dark, in shambles, and completely unorganized.  However, with time, ample searching, commitment and hard work I’ve found my niche in cooking, photography and piano and slowly but surely I’m begining to feel myself flourish.  I wouldn’t be here if Collin didn’t notice my potential and continued to push me to strive for my dreams, what once seemed like an impossible feat has now become my gorgeous reality.

We completed the very last project, the deck earlier this week and we couldn’t contain our excitement and wanted to put it to use right away. I made this hearty, comforting to the soul bowl of Moroccan Carrot Soup to perfectly compliment our cool Fall nights we’ve recently been having (finally Texas!!!!).  We spread out a blanket, lit a few candles and basked in the aromas of cumin and fresh wood as we had our soup in silence.  Collin laid back on the blanket, closed his eyes and let out a huge long sigh — “I can’t believe we live here, we have the best house in the world.”

Indeed we do my love, indeed we do.

From Epicurious

Ingredients for Moroccan Carrot Soup:(serves 4)

  • 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
  • 1 cup chopped white onion
  • 1 pound large carrots, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch dice (about 2 2/3 cups)
  • 2 1/2 cups low-salt chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin seeds
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt, stirred to loosen
  • Melt butter in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 2 minutes. Mix in carrots. Add broth; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until carrots are very tender, about 20 minutes.  Stir cumin seeds in small skillet over medium-high heat until fragrant, 4 to 5 minutes; cool. Finely grind in spice mill.

    Remove soup from heat. Puree in batches in blender until smooth. Return to same pan. Whisk in honey, lemon juice, and allspice. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into bowls. Drizzle yogurt over; sprinkle generously with cumin.

    69 Comments

    1. Posted 29 Sep ’10 at 12:04 pm | Permalink

      Hi Joy, my big congrats to you and Collin for the new house!! Really happy to hear that. You deserve the best in the world…husband, house and everything! A beautiful soup to celebrate all the hard work. I think the best love is when both of you compliment each other and work together as a team. Both of you are an amazing couple!!! :D

      • Posted 11 Oct ’10 at 10:34 am | Permalink

        Thank you Mary! What a wonderful comment :) It was hard work for sure, Collin is already talking about fixing up another house. I ignored him of course haha!

    2. Posted 29 Sep ’10 at 2:11 pm | Permalink

      Congrats on finishing your house! We bought ours almost 3 years ago and are still trialing paint splotches on the walls! Your soup looks gorgeous (and I mean that in both the American and British senses of the word). We don’t eat nearly enough soup and so this is going on my menu list for next week!

      • Posted 11 Oct ’10 at 10:35 am | Permalink

        Thanks Ruby! People have told me the last 10% of the things left to do in a house never gets done, aka I won’t be touching up paint any time soon :)

    3. Posted 29 Sep ’10 at 4:56 pm | Permalink

      Joy, Congrats on your new house! I know you will make it a Home Sweet Home! I love the Moroccan Carrot Soup recipe, you know I’m in love with anything Moroccan after my visit!

      • Posted 11 Oct ’10 at 10:36 am | Permalink

        :) I have never been there but hope to visit in my lifetime! Thanks for the kind words Sara

    4. Posted 29 Sep ’10 at 6:28 pm | Permalink

      Congrats on your new home! Finally, it’s the end of the messy job. haha… I knew it going to be so much fun. Hope you will have a great party this weekend and surely you’re going to be real busy these days. So, enjoy, have lots of fun and food as well!
      Love, Kristy

      • Posted 11 Oct ’10 at 10:36 am | Permalink

        Party we did Kristy! I am glad it’s over and our house is complete :)

    5. Posted 29 Sep ’10 at 6:29 pm | Permalink

      Btw, your soup sounds great but I’m sure there won’t be any soup serve in a party, right? ^_^

    6. Posted 30 Sep ’10 at 12:16 am | Permalink

      congrats ,joy,for your new house!new house, feelings,dreams and a beautiful-delicious carrot soupe,you are really amazing!:)

      • Posted 11 Oct ’10 at 10:37 am | Permalink

        :) Alison you are so sweet, thank you for that!

    7. Posted 30 Sep ’10 at 6:18 am | Permalink

      Congratulations on a new house ~ it must feel like such a relief to finally be done with such a big undertaking! Now, you can relax and enjoy little things like this delicious carrot soup: love the taste of cumin and the coolness of yogurt with it.

      • Posted 11 Oct ’10 at 10:39 am | Permalink

        It has been SUCH a relief :) Thank you for the wishes!!

    8. Posted 30 Sep ’10 at 6:57 am | Permalink

      This soup looks and sounds amazing!!!!! Beautiful photos!

    9. Posted 30 Sep ’10 at 8:33 am | Permalink

      When both my husband and I were searching houses to buy, we also came across with some “potential” houses. But then eventually we decided to pass, and look for something more “prepared”, just because I don’t see myself have any energy to accomplish this project with Ethan around, not to mention to upcoming new baby. That’s why I completely adore your determination!

      • Posted 11 Oct ’10 at 10:40 am | Permalink

        Thank you lululu :) TRUST ME you would not want to accomplish an undertaking like that with a new baby, I didnt even have any kids and there were several times i wanted to say I QUIT THIS SUCKS. Good thing Collin keeps me grounded haha

    10. Posted 30 Sep ’10 at 9:17 am | Permalink

      Congratulations on your new house :) Hope to see a picture of your kitchen!
      Love your carrot soup, delicious and healthy.

    11. Posted 30 Sep ’10 at 9:28 am | Permalink

      Sounds good. I might try making a version with olive oil – can’t eat butter because of my stupid cholesterol!

      • Posted 11 Oct ’10 at 10:41 am | Permalink

        Aw Cathy! I think olive oil will work just as well :) Hope you enjoy it

    12. Posted 30 Sep ’10 at 9:58 am | Permalink

      Congrats on the new house! Did you keep a lot of the things that were already there? i bet some vintage wallpaper or home accents would be so cute.

      Beautiful and lovely soup, I’d love to try some.

      • Posted 11 Oct ’10 at 10:42 am | Permalink

        Roxan, the way the woman kept up the house (or lack there of) not a single thing was salvageable — I did enjoy the swirl vintage ceilings but that got a quick veto from Wells :)

    13. Posted 30 Sep ’10 at 10:32 am | Permalink

      What a great post! I love it so much! Congrats on finishing your house! So much emotional and physical pain goes into houses and when you finish something, you get SUCH a feeling of accomplishment. I am so happy for you and your newly finished home! YAY!

      The carrot soup looks absolutely to die for, I adore carrots so this is right up my alley. Thanks so much for sharing this soup with us and also your house story. This has to be one of my favorite posts ever :-)

      • Posted 11 Oct ’10 at 10:43 am | Permalink

        :) Thank you so much!!! It really was a feeling of accomplishment I am SO SO GLAD it’s over.

        Thank you so much for your kind words you’ve left me ah appy girl!

    14. Posted 30 Sep ’10 at 11:48 am | Permalink

      I love carrot soup but have never tried to make it! Great photos! I think I’ll give this recipe a shot :)

    15. Posted 30 Sep ’10 at 1:56 pm | Permalink

      Beautiful post and huge congratulations on finishing your house, it sound lovely. I want to be at your housewarming, just for the roast pig!

      This soup sounds delicious and I wish I could be enjoying some right now!

      • Posted 11 Oct ’10 at 10:45 am | Permalink

        Aw thank you so much for the kind words Elizabeth — if only you lived in Dallas youd be more than welcome to enjoy the roast pig…I only had 20 lbs left over hahaha

    16. Posted 30 Sep ’10 at 4:35 pm | Permalink

      Love love love love your design and photography in addition to the beautiful and tasty creations!

      • Posted 11 Oct ’10 at 10:45 am | Permalink

        Thank you Adelina!! You are too kind :)

    17. Posted 30 Sep ’10 at 8:05 pm | Permalink

      What a very sweet post. Congrats on becoming a homeowner at such a young age and for tackling such huge undertaking in making your new home be a mirror of you and Collin. A few years out of college and single, I also contemplated buying my first home and you know what? It was scary. Kudos to you! Have fun at your housewarming. :-)

      • Posted 11 Oct ’10 at 10:47 am | Permalink

        Thanks so much! You now it all happened so fast I dont think either of us had time to process it — now that our house is done and we’re actually living the reality, I find that Collin and I will randomly exclaim “I CAN’T BELIEVE WE LIVE HERE” hahaha. We love it :)

    18. Posted 30 Sep ’10 at 8:19 pm | Permalink

      I hope we see photos of the new house!
      Your recipe looks delicious and simple… I will put it on my list of recipes to try :)

      • Posted 11 Oct ’10 at 10:47 am | Permalink

        See you this week Elissa!!! I gotta stop eating cake man…it’s showing in my arms!

    19. Posted 1 Oct ’10 at 12:37 am | Permalink

      Congras on the house…. we are so lazy… still not finished painting!

      • Posted 11 Oct ’10 at 10:47 am | Permalink

        Thank you Penny!!! We still have plenty of touch up paint to do but I told collin its house vacation time til December :)

    20. Posted 1 Oct ’10 at 11:07 am | Permalink

      Congratulations–I’m sure if the pictures are any indication of your ability to create beauty, your house must be pretty fabulous! Thanks for sharing this recipe. I love anything involving cooked carrots, and this soup sounds perfect for this time of year.

      • Posted 11 Oct ’10 at 10:48 am | Permalink

        Thank you so much!! What wonderful words :) I hope you enjoy this recipe!

    21. Shannon
      Posted 2 Oct ’10 at 1:37 am | Permalink

      Congrats on making food buzz top nine! Great recipe!

    22. Posted 2 Oct ’10 at 6:31 am | Permalink

      This looks amazing! And, congratulations on making the Foodbuzz Top 9! That’s so awesome!!

    23. Posted 2 Oct ’10 at 7:09 am | Permalink

      Beautiful soup. I’d love to try it.

    24. Posted 2 Oct ’10 at 9:10 am | Permalink

      So proud for you and your husband! Your Carrot Soup looks amazing…will have to make some today! Blessings, K

      p s ~ I live in Texas and we are enjoying this wonderful weather toooo!!

      • Posted 11 Oct ’10 at 10:49 am | Permalink

        Thank you K!! Is the weather not wonderful? If only it stayed like this the entire year opposed to just a few weeks :)

    25. Posted 2 Oct ’10 at 9:16 am | Permalink

      It is nice to read that there’s hope for love. Your post really moved me, beautiful. I was actaully looking for a carrot soup recipe as well, I’m definitely gonna try to make this one. Sweden says hi.

      • Posted 11 Oct ’10 at 10:50 am | Permalink

        WOW!! All the way from Sweden that is so cool :) Thank you so much for your kind words you are wonderful. Hope you enjoy the recipe!

    26. Posted 2 Oct ’10 at 9:41 am | Permalink

      Wow Joy: What a beautifully presented carrot soup, I’d luv a hearty bowl right now!

      There’s nothing like the work on a fixer-upper and recreating it with your Hubby. It really makes it yours and it’s such a treasure to look back later at photos before and after and to see how far you’ve come along with the house together. Congratuations on your new home…it’s what priceless memories are and will be made of.

      • Posted 11 Oct ’10 at 10:51 am | Permalink

        Thank you Cristina! I am glad we did a fixer-upper, the entire experience has been much more rewarding that way. Good thing we both made it out alive hahaha :)

    27. serenanorr
      Posted 2 Oct ’10 at 2:03 pm | Permalink

      Wow! Amazing pics and beautiful soup. Congratulations on making the top 9!

      Seriously Soupy

    28. Posted 2 Oct ’10 at 3:09 pm | Permalink

      LOVE this post. Enjoy your new home!

    29. Posted 2 Oct ’10 at 3:57 pm | Permalink

      The soup looks adorable! Haven’t tried carrot as soup yet and I was looking for a good recipe. And here it is! I’m bookmarking it to try just when I see fresh carrots at bazaar. And I love that you put yogurt as topping instead of cream.

      • Posted 11 Oct ’10 at 10:52 am | Permalink

        Zerrin I hope you enjoy this recipe — Collin absolutely loved it and deemed it one of his favorite soups :)

    30. Posted 2 Oct ’10 at 4:34 pm | Permalink

      colourful delicious soup

    31. Posted 2 Oct ’10 at 5:35 pm | Permalink

      The soup looks so hearty and delicious! Congrats for the new house, I love decorating mine, even though it can be hard to find the time…!

      • Posted 11 Oct ’10 at 10:52 am | Permalink

        Thank you so much — yes decorating has taken up so much time I find myself constantly changing my mind. EEK!

    32. Posted 2 Oct ’10 at 7:22 pm | Permalink

      Congratulation of the house
      Your soup sounds delicious and your pictures and wonderful

    33. Posted 29 Oct ’10 at 5:16 pm | Permalink

      Beautiful soup!

    34. Patricia Merrill
      Posted 29 Oct ’10 at 5:44 pm | Permalink

      Sounds divine!. I want to try it today.

    35. Posted 30 Oct ’10 at 1:13 pm | Permalink

      This looks absolutely delicious and I cannot wait to make it!. Thanks for sharing. How appropriate it will fit with the name of my blog.

    36. Posted 31 Oct ’10 at 4:13 am | Permalink

      Congratulations Joy!
      That carrot soup is wicked awesome colorful, just like your new house I suppose..
      Your style of writing is also very soulful and comforting just as much as the soup itself.
      All in all, a wonderful soup and a very good read indeed!

    37. Posted 13 Jan ’11 at 3:47 pm | Permalink

      Gosh! You’ve been through a lot of stress with this house!

      Nothing relieves stress better than a big bowl of soup. And does yours look oh so good!

    38. Posted 20 Mar ’11 at 7:10 pm | Permalink

      Congratulations on the house! And I can’t wait to try the soup– I love Moroccan flavors. Your blog is very cute– I hope it’s okay if I post a link to it on mine?
      -Molly

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