I was in my pajamas and my carrots were old.
This is not the way I like to start any post admittedly but it’s the brutal truth. It was a Sunday morning and it was cold. I was awoken by the loudspeaker from the Balmoral Burn charity run nearby and I wasn’t in a great mood. And because I had woken so early I had an excess of time and my first instinct was to cook. I needed to make a soup for my husband’s lunch that coming week and the carrots I had in the fridge were starting to look a little less appealing. They weren’t awful but they lost that smooth bright orange coat that they had only a couple of days before.
A friend and I were discussing the inevitable Winter weight gain. Well lamenting it was more like it. Stews, pastas and roasts are de rigeur whereas salads and sorbets are out. One way to try and counteract it is with this soup which is very low in fat but full of flavour. Other benefits are of course that it can be made vegetarian and is very inexpensive to make so there’s no reason not to try a bit of detoxing. If only for a meal or two.
Tell me Dear Reader, what are your tactics to avoid Winter weight gain or weight gain in general? Or do you surrender to Winter and come Summer take action?
Carrot, Cumin and Ginger Detox Soup
An original recipe by Not Quite Nigella
Serves 4
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 2.5cms/1inch knob of ginger peeled and chopped
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 kg/2 pound bag carrots, peeled if desired, cut into rough chunks
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 litre/1 quart vegetable or chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon cumin seeds to sprinkle
1. Sautee onion and ginger in oil until translucent and then add carrots and cook for about 5 minutes. Add stock, cumin powder and simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour until carrot is very soft (if you don’t want to cook it for that long, cut the carrot up into smaller pieces). Check for seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste.
2. Puree soup in a blender and serve with a teaspoon of cumin seeds sprinkled on top.
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43 Comments | Add your own
I have never had carrot soup. Yours looks delicious! I am afraid I surrendered to winter weight gain and plan to lose it as soon as I get home from D.C. next week. Wish me luck! I’m going to need it.
I need this so badly!! Thanks so much for posting.
Were you thinking of me when you wrote this? This past (North American) winter I celebrated my first Thanksgiving and Christmas. I don’t normally gain weight during the winter but this year I did.. but boy was it worth it. I say enjoy the winter and worry about it come summer =P
The soup looks good! Can the cumin seeds be substituted with cumin powder?
No matter what you say about “old carrots”, that carrot soup photo still looks good! Oh and I wish I have a winter weight loss tactic – but alas, mine would probably be more gym visits to burn off the calories consumed throughout the day.
Well, I think it is normal for us to gain weight during Winter month, unless it is not leading to obese than, that’s fine. We need extra fat to keep our body warm, don’t you think? I am not worried about weight, really. The carrot soup sounds healthy enough, though
This soup sounds perfect except for the ginger(it doesnt agree with me). Is there something I could use instead of ginger?
I know what you are saying – winter makes you hungrier and want substantial, hot meals that you can easily forego at other times. My approach to weight gain ios hit and miss – I tend to go on my merry way until either (a) my clothes get tight; or (b) I feel guilty about what I have eaten – not particularly effective! This cheery looking soup is one way to get out of thewinter funk – looks delicious and would be perfect with a crusty roll.
Hmm hmm the hot soup sounds like a great dish to start a chilly early morning!
As I live alone, I’m often unable to consume everything I bought from grocery shopping. My impulsive cooking enthusiasm usually comes from “oh my god I have to use this before going bad” ;p
I used to hit the gym regularly, but that was like 10kg ago. Winter time – it’s too cold, summer time – it’s too hot. I’m in the never ending loop of excuse!
This soup is just what I need. I’m getting old and I reckon winter just adds kilos even before factoring in the food!
I NEED this detox soup after my trip to Malaysia (non-stop eat feast). To battle weight gain, I try to go to gym regularly and practice portion control but it’s easier to say than to do. lol!
I once had a wonderful carrot and curry soup at a local tea room. It was fantastic. I have to admit that I have no weight loss tactics and I looks like I have seen MANY winters!!!
mmm carrot soup! Looks easy
Well – I try not to think too much about the food I eat during winter. Eep. It is a lot harder to stay healthy when all I want is mashed potato or pasta haha. Not to mention the prospect of going to the gym and/or kickboxing is too daunting when you have to do it in the dark.
Thankfully I’m incapable of getting too fat (thank the genes for that) but still – I guess I’ll stress about it in summer. or spring. heh. When the days get longer!
Beautiful colour Lorraine. I think I’d give in to this just for the colour…& ginger!! I have no weight loss tactics though I stress about it at times…O well!!
The soup looks fantastic! I love carrot and ginger so I’ll have to try it. Winter is very far away in my part of the world but when it is colder I try to eat things like vegetable soups – they’re very warming and filling and shockingly low-calorie, if made at home. I also drink a lot of tea, which I do year round but is especially helpful in winter when I’m cold and feeling hungry-but-not.
the start of your post made me laugh!
unfortunately winter weight gain is inevitable…i’ve been pushing myself to go the gym a bit more – and well once i’m there, it’s actually not too bad…it’s actually much more comfortable exercising in winter than in the summer.
Green tea – and lots of it!!!
PS – soup looks fantastic
oo love the addition of ginger..keeps you warm. and I think you have to eat in winter to keep you warm! Think about losing weight after that.
Hello, if you want your veg to keep fresh longer I can recommend this:
http://www.keepfresh.com.au/
Also the supermarkets sell green bags.
Both these products absorb the gas that fruit and vegetables emit which causes decay.
anaree
That soup looks fantastic. I love soup and stews during winter as it not only keeps me warm but stops me from snacking on chocolates! hehe
Diet wise – I read somewhere that your body needs more calories to burn off the number of calories in a broccoli. This means that you’re actually burning more calories then what you’re consuming and I actually lost weight when I added boiled / steamed broccoli in every meal. But after a while I kinda got bored just eating boiled broccoli and very little else.
I have never had carrot soup before, but this looks rather interesting.
As I throw up at the smell, taste, etc etc of ginger, can i make do without the ginger?
I definitely surrender to the inevitable weight gain in winter
it does keep me warmer though! I totally understand the instict to bake when you wake up extra early, I did it this morning! Looks lovely, low in fat but full of flavour is a rare but welcome thing!
I like your kind of soup: it is healthy too! I also like to add some lentils or/and chickpeas! Looking yummie!
I usually eat soups only in the winter, and not now,when it is really hot here.But in few days I am off to much cooler Finland, and I could try your soup there,I do need a detox something anyway…;-)
Delicious Lorraine!
My Winter weight gain tactic? Travel the world and follow the Summer so you can have it all year round
I’ll send you a postcard from Spain…!
Well, it ain’t winter here but I’m still going to try it! I love carrot and corriander soup, but cumin is my favourite spice so it’s bound to be a winner… and hey, I’ve still got to lose a few pounds gained last winter!
I definitely need something like this, even though it’s almost summer here, due to a recent trauma. It would definitely warm my soul and heart. Looks beautiful and delicious
Oh, this year I succumbed to winter weight gain, sadly! I am trying to detox with summer salads but it seems to take a lot longer to lose the weight than it did to gain it!
This soup sounds great! I love soup, even in the summertime.
Bring it on lady! not winter here, but with the ginger & that color, I could have it anytime.
That’s a very evocative opening line! Soup is a great way to make old veggies taste like new, and I like the idea of putting ginger with the carrots.
a simmering soup is a great way to start the day – thr house smells great and you feel ahead
I don’t think I have to be on detox to enjoy this. Sounds flavorful enough for any day of the week.
With no winter or summer here I just try to balance my meals out as best as I can…if I’ve been eating too much I’ll have soups and salads for a few days to detox
a little winter weight gain never hurt anyone–it’ll keep ya warm! just a little though.
great soup–i always like to see old veggies and whatnot salvaged and turned into something scrumptious.
Hi Barbara-Ah best of luck with that! I’m sure you’ll do well!
Hi Feasting on Art-hehe you’re more than welcome!
Hi Kathy-Hehe I was thinking of all of us
I’ve read what you ate and it sounded and looked worth it! 
Yep you could! 
Hi Trisha-Thankyou! that sounds like a very good tactic!
Hi arfi-Well that’s true in a way but I don’t like to do it! It doesn’t get that cold here that we need padding
Hi meg-Ahh yes well you could omit it all together and just use cumin!
Hi Cakelaw-I think I am the same as you!
Thankyou so much! yes a crusty roll would be great for a contrast in texture.
Hi Yas-Haha that’s not a bad thing! I bet you come up with some really inventive dishes that way!
I know, why can’t the weather be Spring or Autumn? 
Hi romaverona-I know! I feel the same way! *sigh*
Hi Ellie-Ah yes I can imagine what a non stop eating fest that would have been! At least you have a tactic!
Hi Bethie-The cumin gives it that curry-ish taste but I bet it could be made even stronger in curry flavour!
Hi Esz-It was!
Yes I start to crave food that I just don’t touch in Summer and yes it’s hard when it’s dark when you leave work. Ahhh you are so lucky though!
Hi deeba-Thankyou!
I bet you have no reason to stress about it 
Hi anna-Thanks so much
Ah yes you’re in Summer now, you lucky things! True, tea is a really good idea and keeps you nice and warm!
Hi Panda-Hehe! I think that’s great that you actually get there and yes it’s easier than doing it in the heat of Summer!
Hi Rebecca-That’s one I could do!
Thankyou!
Hi pigpigscorner-I agree!
Hmm I say that but then I get anxious!
Hi Anaree-OK thanks! I’ve heard that they’re good but have yet to try them
Hi foodie-central-Thankyou! Ahh yes chocolate-which keeps you nice and warm!
Interesting, I remember reading the same about celery and grapefruit! 
Hi ArtemisIII-You poor thing, absolutely! You can leave it out and make it a carrot and cumin soup
Hi Steph-Hehe I figure at least if I bake early then I have something yummy to eat for breakfast!
Hi Sophie-Thanks! Yes you could definitely add those for body too!
Hi yaelian-Have a great time in Finland! I miss it there and the amazing Summertime we spent there
Hi Christie-Thanks! Ha yes well but that can’t be done every year can it (or can it?
)? But good to do it when you can!
Hi Angela-Oh yes you could and coriander too instead of ginger! Perhaps this could help? Not that you need it!
Hi Lisa-I hope you feel better soon!
Thankyou so much!
Hi maris-Isn’t that always the way! *sigh*
You could even eat this cold or just gently warmed in Summer 
Hi Soma-Haha cool! That’s wonderful
Hi Arwen-haha it was true sadly! Thankyou!
Hi Johanna-It is and it really fills the house with a nice aroma!
Hi Jude-No you don’t-and that’s the best bit!
Hi Alexandra-That’s a good idea! Although isn’t it mostly Summer for you?
Hi grace-Haha yes it’s when it goes from a little to a lot isn’t it!
Yes they can be made into something better than what they are!
Great idea, a carrot soup with cumin and ginger sounds great in this weather. I tend to have more soups in winter and try to make them healthy, as I know I will want some warm dessert afterwards
I made this today! What a healthy, simple and inexpensive recipe. I sprinkled Nutritional Yeast on top and that added a nice flavor to it. I’ll be making this again.
Hi Anita-hehe yes that’s a good plan. Eat less calories for the main and leave room for sweets!
Hi Callie-Wonderful! So glad that you liked it. Thanks for letting me know
Hey Lorraine, is the cumin powder very strong in this soup? I’ve never had/made carrot soup before but I’m not sure about cumin powder as I’m not too in love with it. If I halve the portions of the cumin, will the taste be too bland? Thanks for the recipe !!!!
Hi Tiffany-I think you could definitely give it a go with 1/2 a teaspoon and omit the seeds for decoration. If you’re finding it too bland you could also try curry powder if you like that too?
You’re welcome!
Mmmmm, carrot and ginger is a great combination!
It’s meant to be summer here at the moment (currently raining and 17C, although feels more like 5) so summer eating doesn’t really apply! I generally think you can eat more when it’s cold as you burn calories trying to keep warm… so I guess my winter anti-fat tip would be to turn the heating down!
i ’stumbled upon’ your website and i am in love – can’t wait to try out these delectable looking recipes.
Wauw,,never had carrot soup. But im a hudge fan of detoxing. Gonna tru it definately. Thank you
I’ve prepared this 2 different ways. Sauteing the carrots defeats the purpose of creating detox soup as it makes it entirely too oily. I’ve made it with only sauteing the onions and it is much better than the original recipe posted above.
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