Carrot and Orange Soup

Here’s a total orange delight. Fresh-squeezed orange juice gently enhances the natural sweetness of carrots and onions. It’s rich and satisfying in flavor and vitamins, and so beguilingly tasty the kids will love it too.

Ingredients

• 6 Tbsp orange juice
• 4 Tbsp crème fraiche
• 2 Tbsp butter
• ¼ cup fresh chives (chopped)
• 4 cups vegetable stock
• salt and pepper (to taste)
  1 medium onion (coarsely chopped)
  
• 1½ lbs carrots (peeled and thickly sliced)
• ½ orange (zested and juiced)

Preparation

1. Place butter and onions into a casserole dish and cover. Press the Microwave button once (1000W). Set dial for 3-4 minutes (or until soft). Press Start.
2. Add carrots to the casserole dish and cover.
   Place back into the oven and press Microwave once (1000W). Set dial for 8-10 minutes (or until vegetables are softened). Press Start.
   Stir halfway through.
3. When ready, add vegetable stock and orange zest to the casserole dish of softened vegetables.
   Cover and place back into the oven.
   Press Microwave once (1000W).
   Set dial for 5 minutes. Press Start.
   When time is up, press Microwave 4 times (440W). Set dial for 15 minutes. Press Start.
4. Place the mixture of stock and softened vegetables in a blender and puree until smooth.
5. Return the pureed mixture to a bowl and add the orange juice. Stir in crème fraiche and season with salt and pepper. Cover and place back into the oven. Press Microwave 3 times (600W). Set dial for 3-4 minutes. Press Start.
6. Remove from oven and garnish with fresh chives.

Serve and enjoy!