Red Curry Carrot Soup

• MAKE-AHEAD

Ingredients

1. 1 tablespoon canola oil
2. 6 large carrots, peeled—4 thickly sliced and 2 cut into fine matchsticks
3. 2 thin slices peeled fresh ginger
4. 1 medium white onion, finely chopped
5. 4 cups chicken stock or canned low-sodium broth
6. 2 cups water
7. 1/3 cup unsweetened coconut milk
8. 3/4 teaspoon red curry paste (see Note)
9. Salt and freshly ground pepper
10. 1 scallion, cut into matchsticks
11. 1 tablespoon cilantro leaves
12. 1 tablespoon finely chopped basil

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the sliced carrots and ginger and cook over moderately high heat, stirring, until the carrots are crisp-tender and lightly browned, 6 to 7 minutes. Add the onion and cook until softened but not browned, about 2 minutes.
2. Add the chicken stock, water, coconut milk and curry paste to the saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderate heat until the carrots are tender, about 25 minutes. Strain the cooking liquid into another saucepan, reserving the solids; discard the ginger. Transfer the carrots to a blender and puree with 1 cup of the cooking liquid until very smooth. Return the puree to the cooking liquid, add the carrot matchsticks and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle the soup into bowls, sprinkle with the scallion, cilantro and basil and serve.