Comforting Carrot, Cumin and Tomato Soup ala Lavender and Lovage

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I HEART This Soup!

The little hearts are very easy to do.  Use heavy cream, make dots in the soup.  Then take a toothpick and drag through the dot.  the top indents and the bottom makes a tail and the whole thing looks like a heart!

But as much fun to look at, it is better to taste!

Rich, thick, hints of cumin, but the sweet of the carrot and the acidic tang of the tomatoes makes this just delicious beyond words.


I made two very tiny changes in this recipe.

First, the recipe calls for 4 cups of vegetable stock.  First, I do not have any vegetable stock, but each week I make a chicken stock.  My chicken stock is made with onion, carrots, asparagus, peppers.  So, it has plenty of veggie taste, as well as the chicken.  I use what I have and wasn't going to buy a new stock when I have a freezer with about a gallon of stock ready.  OF Course, if you are a vegetarian or want to make this a vegetarian dish, please use a vegetable stock instead.

Click the photo to see Karen's original recipe

Second, I like a thick heavy slightly chunky soup.  Think bisque.  The recipe calls for 4 cups, which made Karen's soup thin in texture (not in taste), and smooth.  I only used 2 cups of stock.  My soup had bits and pieces and was a thicker soup.

Purely a case of personal taste.

So, once again, such minor changes, basically making a tomato and carrot bisque from her soup recipe, I am just going to post the link to her page.  A wonderful use for seasonal vegetables.  I made a BIG batch, enjoyed a rare vegetarian meal and still had plenty to freeze.  I froze them in 2 cup containers, just right for a quick lunch for me or as a starter course for dinner for 2.

So, click that photo just above, or follow this link to... LAVENDER and LOVAGE's Comforting Carrot, Cumin and Tomato Soup.

Click the header logo to see Karen's blog, Lavender and Lovage

And, you have heard me talk about Karen of the Lavender and Lovage blog.  I am fascinated by her story and the dribs and drabs that are leaking out about her life that I read in her blog.  She is British, owns a B&B in south west France.  Her blog is just enough slice of that intriguing life to keep me coming back for more.

Click this photo to see my first post about Karen,
Lavender and Lovage and her
Herb and Salmon Vegetable Pie

I first discovered Karen from her submissions to eRecipeCards.com.  Beautiful photography and equally delicious sounding recipes.

I was drawn to her Herb and Salmon Vegetable Pie.  Made, LOVED and blogged about that recipe a few weeks ago (follow the blue letters or click the photo to see that post).  On that post, you will see my first impressions of Karen.  Since then, I have continued to follow her blog, and have now found one of my most bewitching blogging buddies!

Click this photo to see Lavender and Lovage's
100th post and Anniversary Giveaway details

And, I was intrigued to find that dispute the professional look of her blog, the seasoned practiced way she writes and the absolutely stunning photos she shares of her food, she is a young blogger.  She has just passed her 100th post!  I would have sworn that she was one of those seasoned pro bloggers with 4 or 5 years under her belt instead of 4 or 5 months.

To celebrate this anniversary, she has selected some amazing items for a giveaway contest.  She has really gone above and beyond by including US, EU and UK readers!  And even more above and beyond, not just one giveaway, but she is offering 3 winners a chance!

Who wouldn't want to get a tin of British biscuits (cookies), pots of jam, teas and an adorable British shopping bag to make the clerk at the Piggly Wiggly jealous of your viral globetrotting friends.

So, click the photo of the goodie bag, click THESE BLUE LETTERS to see her blog, the 100th post and details of her contest.  Enter (just a comment gets you an entry, tell her hi from me).

And, while you are there, go ahead and glance through a few of her posts.  You may just get hooked and find a new favorite!

Oh, and I have one more picture of my soup... came in a close second as to which look I was going to use...