Lemony Carrot and Cauliflower Soup
Updated February 24, 2025
Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
- Total Time
- 40 minutes
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
Advertisement
Ingredients
1 tablespoon coriander seeds
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, more for serving
1 large white onion, peeled and diced (2 cups)
2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
5 medium carrots (1 pound), peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces (2 cups)
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, more as needed
3 tablespoons white miso
1 small (or half of a large) head cauliflower, trimmed and cut into florets
½ teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice, more to taste
Smoky chile powder, for serving
Coarse sea salt, for serving
Cilantro leaves, for serving
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)
21 grams carbs; 161 calories; 5 grams monosaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 8 grams fat; 5 grams fiber; 532 milligrams sodium; 4 grams protein; 8 grams sugar
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Powered by
Preparation
- Step 1
In a large, dry pot over medium heat, toast coriander seeds until fragrant and dark golden-brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a mortar and pestle and coarsely crush.
- Step 2
Return the pot to medium heat. Add the oil and heat until warm. Stir in onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and lightly colored, 7 to 10 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Step 3
Add carrots, crushed coriander, salt and 6 cups water to the pot. Stir in the miso until it dissolves. Bring mixture to a simmer and cook, uncovered, 5 minutes. Stir in cauliflower and cook, covered, over medium-low heat until the vegetables are very tender, about 10 minutes.
- Step 4
Remove the soup from the heat. Using an immersion blender, purée the soup until smooth. (Alternatively, you can let soup cool slightly then purée it in batches in a food processor or blender.) If necessary, return the puréed soup to the heat to warm through. Stir in the lemon zest and juice just before serving. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with chile, sea salt and cilantro leaves.
Private Notes
Comments
One question: I toasted the coriander seeds and coarsely crushed them with a mortar and pestle. I followed the recipe in detail. The soup was great but we were spitting out the husks (or hulls) of the coriander. Did I do something wrong? Did others have the same experience?
To the editors: I would like it if instead of saying, "1 small (or half of a large) head cauliflower" you would give the weight of cauliflower needed.
This soup is delightful! I used veg broth instead of water, roasted the cauliflower and carrots rather than cooking in the broth, and added bay leaves and then some scallions at the end. The soup somehow ends up tasting like a bowl of creamy, cheesy cauliflower-cheddar even though there isn't a drop of dairy. Highly recommended!
I keep two of the little electric coffee bean grinders. One is for spices only. Have for years and it’s so handy.
I make this soup at least once per month. In her cook book, Dinner in One, Melissa Clark has paprika shrimp in this recipe, and it is also very good. I make it both with and without.
I didn't have Smokey Chili Powder so I added Smoked Paprika. I also used Chicken Broth instead of water. Very good!