Carrot-Ginger Soup with Minted Yogurt

Recipe created Art Smith

From the show Labor Day Cooking with Art Smith

	The bright orange color of this soup will provide color to your table as well as please your guests' appetites. The combination of sweet carrots, hot-spicy ginger and cool mint works well together.
	INGREDIENTS
	2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 large onion, chopped 1 1/2 pounds carrots (about 10 medium), peeled and sliced 3 tablespoons peeled and finely chopped fresh ginger 2 garlic cloves, minced 5 cups vegetable broth, chicken broth or canned low-sodium broth 1 sprig of fresh thyme, or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, or more to taste 1 bay leaf, dried or fresh 1/2 cup milk, whole or reduced-fat Salt 1 cup plain unflavored yogurt, at room temperature 2 tablespoons chopped mint or other fresh herbs, such as chives, thyme, tarragon or dill, or a combination
	Melt the butter in a soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, cover tightly, and cook, stirring often until the onion is golden, about 6 minutes. Stir in the carrots, ginger and garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the broth, thyme, pepper and bay leaf. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer, partially covered, until the carrots are very tender, about 20 minutes. Remove the thyme sprig and bay leaf. In batches, purée the vegetables and liquid in a blender or food processor. Pour the soup back into the pot and stir in the milk. Season to taste with salt and additional pepper and reheat over medium heat until piping hot. Ladle into soup bowls and top each serving with a dollop of the yogurt and a sprinkling of mint or other herbs.