There is something irresistible about the smell of freshly baked bread. Invite a couple of friends over for lunch and serve this healthy, vitamin-rich soup with a warm slice of homemade yogurt bread .

Zingy Carrot and Orange Soup with Ginger Recipe

Serves 4 people

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp oil
  • Half a medium onion finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic finely chopped
  • 8 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 1 round tsp grated fresh ginger (or half flat tsp ground ginger)
  • Juice of 2 large oranges
  • 2 tbs vegetable bouillon powder dissolved in 1.75 pts of hot water (vegetable stock)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

  1. Heat the oil in a pan, over medium heat, and add the onions and garlic. Cover and allow them to cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until onion is transparent.
  2. Add the carrots and stir. Cover again and cook on low heat for a further 10 minutes.
  3. Add ginger and orange juice and vegetable stock.
  4. Bring to the boil and simmer for 40 minutes.
  5. Let the soup cool and then blend until it is completely smooth.
  6. Season to taste.

Sunflower Seed and Yogurt Bread

This will make two small loaves or one large one.

This is a yeast-free recipe and you don't even have to knead the dough. What could be easier? The sunflower seeds give it a good texture and if there is any left over, you can freeze it.

Ingredients:

  • 1lb wholemeal plain flour
  • 2tsp baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Half pint plain natural yogurt
  • Quarter of a pint of warm water
  • 2 tbs sunflower seeds

Method:

  1. Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F or Gas mark 6).
  2. Mix flour, soda and salt.
  3. Stir in the yoghurt and warm water and mix well.
  4. Coat the mixture with a dusting of flour. Form into a round or oval shape and score the top with a couple of deep lines.
  5. Put it on a floured baking tray.
  6. Bake for 40 minutes. Test with a skewer which should be inserted into the middle of the loaf and come out clean.

Finishing Touch

Finely chop a small bunch of fresh coriander and blend with butter. Spread on the bread while still warm and serve with the soup.

  • Carrots are an excellent source of Vitamin A (good for healthy skin and hair) as well as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Thiamine and Potassium, Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6 and Manganese. As with all brightly coloured vegetables, carrots are high in antioxidants which slow down the aging process.
  • They also promote healthy vision, and boost the immune system.
  • The oranges are packed with Vitamin C and the ginger is also an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Sunflower seeds are a good source of vitamin E which protects against heart disease.