Carrot Soup with Spiced Ground Beef and Pine Nuts Recipe
Introduction
This hearty carrot soup with spiced ground beef and pine nuts combines creamy, sweet carrots with bold, savory flavors. It’s a comforting meal perfect for cooler days and pairs wonderfully with flatbread and a dollop of yogurt.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 2 pounds carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
- 2 tablespoons Better Than Bouillon beef flavor base
- 2 teaspoons hot madras curry powder (regular curry powder works too)
- 1 14-ounce can coconut milk
- 3 1/2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Better Than Bouillon beef flavor base
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
- A bit of lemon zest
- Thinly sliced shallot
- Plain yogurt
- Flatbread
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a soup pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, sliced onions, carrots, bouillon, and curry powder. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
- Step 2: Add 3 1/2 cups water and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15 minutes until carrots are tender.
- Step 3: Stir in the coconut milk. Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until smooth and creamy.
- Step 4: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add ground beef and cook until browned and cooked through, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper.
- Step 5: Stir in tomato paste, 2 teaspoons beef flavor base, and garam masala. Cook for 2-3 minutes to combine flavors.
- Step 6: Add pine nuts, parsley, and lemon zest to the beef mixture. Sauté briefly until pine nuts are toasted and fragrant.
- Step 7: To serve, ladle the soup into bowls and top with a scoop of the spiced ground beef. Garnish with thinly sliced shallots, a swirl of plain yogurt, and serve with flatbread on the side.
Tips & Variations
- Substitute regular curry powder if you don’t have hot madras for a milder flavor.
- Toast pine nuts gently in a dry skillet before adding to enhance their nuttiness.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the ground beef and use vegetable bouillon instead.
- Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving to brighten the flavors.
Storage
Store leftover soup and spiced beef separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the soup gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally. Reheat the beef mixture in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. Assemble just before serving for best texture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare both the soup and the spiced beef ahead. Keep them refrigerated separately and reheat before serving to maintain freshness and texture.
What can I use instead of pine nuts?
Toast slivered almonds, chopped walnuts, or chopped cashews for a similar crunch and nutty flavor if you don’t have pine nuts on hand.
PrintCarrot Soup with Spiced Ground Beef and Pine Nuts Recipe
This vibrant Carrot Soup with Spiced Ground Beef and Pine Nuts combines creamy, curry-infused carrot soup with richly seasoned ground beef topped with toasted pine nuts and fresh parsley. Perfect for a cozy meal, it balances sweetness, spice, and savory flavors with a touch of coconut milk and warming Indian spices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian-inspired
Ingredients
Soup Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 2 pounds carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
- 2 tablespoons Better Than Bouillon beef flavor base
- 2 teaspoons hot madras curry powder (or regular curry powder)
- 1 14-ounce can coconut milk
- 3 1/2 cups water
Ground Beef Topping
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Better Than Bouillon beef flavor base
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
- A bit of lemon zest
Optional Garnishes
- Thinly sliced shallot
- Plain yogurt
- Flatbread for dipping
Instructions
- Prepare the Soup Base: Heat a soup pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, sliced onions, chunked carrots, 2 tablespoons of beef flavor base, and 2 teaspoons curry powder. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until the onions soften and the spices are fragrant.
- Simmer the Soup: Add 3 1/2 cups water to the pot and bring to a simmer. Let it cook gently for 15 minutes until the carrots are tender.
- Puree the Soup: Stir in the 14-ounce can of coconut milk. Use an immersion blender to puree the mixture until smooth and creamy.
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and brown it thoroughly, seasoning with a little salt and pepper as it cooks.
- Flavor the Ground Beef: Stir in 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 2 teaspoons beef flavor base, and 1 teaspoon garam masala. Sauté the mixture for 2-3 minutes to develop flavor.
- Add Pine Nuts and Herbs: Add 1/3 cup pine nuts, 1/4 cup chopped parsley, and a bit of lemon zest to the skillet. Continue to sauté until pine nuts are toasted and fragrant, and the flavors meld together.
- Serve the Dish: Ladle the pureed carrot soup into bowls and top each serving with a generous scoop of the spiced ground beef and pine nut mixture. Garnish with optional thinly sliced shallots, a swirl of plain yogurt, and serve with flatbread for dipping.
Notes
- For a smoother soup, strain it after pureeing if desired.
- You can substitute regular curry powder if hot madras curry powder is unavailable.
- Adjust the heat level by adding a pinch of chili powder or cayenne with the curry powder if preferred.
- Use fresh lemon zest to brighten the flavor of the ground beef topping.
- Serve with flatbread or crusty bread to soak up the soup.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop.
Keywords: Carrot soup, Spiced ground beef, Pine nuts, Coconut milk soup, Curry soup, Indian spices, Easy dinner, Comfort food
