aka The Golden Reset
Every January in Colorado, after weeks of holiday feasting, I find myself craving something simple and grounding. A few years ago I started making this soup on Sunday evenings as a way to hit the reset button for the week ahead. The warmth of fresh ginger, the natural sweetness of roasted carrots, and a hint of turmeric — it feels like a hug from the inside out. My roommates started calling it “liquid gold” and now it’s a permanent fixture in my meal prep rotation.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 4 cups vegetable broth (low-sodium)
- ½ cup full-fat coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
Garnish
- Swirl of coconut cream
- Fresh cilantro leaves
- Toasted pumpkin seeds
Instructions
- Sauté the aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the garlic and fresh ginger, stirring for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Toast the spices: Stir in the ground turmeric and cumin. Cook for 30 seconds, letting the spices bloom in the oil — you’ll smell them immediately.
- Add carrots and broth: Add the chopped carrots and pour in the vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, or until the carrots are completely fork-tender.
- Blend until silky: Remove from heat and use an immersion blender to purée the soup until completely smooth. Alternatively, carefully transfer in batches to a standing blender (leave the lid slightly cracked to vent steam).
- Finish and season: Stir in the coconut milk and fresh lemon juice. Season with sea salt, black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne if you like a little kick. Taste and adjust.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls and garnish with a swirl of coconut cream, a few cilantro leaves, and a sprinkle of toasted pumpkin seeds.
Tips
- For an even deeper flavor, roast the carrots at 400°F for 20 minutes before adding them to the pot.
- This soup stores beautifully in the fridge for up to 5 days or freezes well for up to 3 months.
- Swap coconut milk for cashew cream if you prefer a nuttier finish.
- Use a clean vegetable broth without “natural flavors” — we recommend Bonafide brand.
Chase Williams