Soup it Up: Curried Amaranth Soup

Posted by Lesli

(Photo by Lesli )

One time I was at a health food, looking for something that would make me healthy. It happened to be a day when there were demonstrations of products and samples of food available for shoppers to try.

A delicious smell drew me over to a crockpot keeping a thick soup warm. I could see the base was likely tomatoes, but I honestly didn't know what the grain was in this mysterious soup.

Not being able to help myself, I took the sample that was being offered and tentatively tried a spoonful...I was drawn into the blend of flavours and immediately started grilling the poor demo lady - 'What are those tiny little balls in here?' 'What else is in this?' ...I likely came off pretty rude, but I was just baffled by the flavours because I'd never really tasted anything like it.

The demo lady seemed pretty happy that I liked her yummy soup and handed over the recipe. That was a shock, as I hadn't really experienced anything free at a health food store before...usually I exited the store with my bank card depleted, wondering where the value was in my purchases.

On that day I left with what would become one of my most favourite recipes for fall and winter. With a few tweaks here and there, this recipe is a seasonal favourite.

Curried Amaranth Soup

1 T. olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 stalks of celery, chopped
2 large carrots, chopped
1 T. fresh ginger, finely chopped
2 c. sweet potatoes, diced
3 c. fresh, chopped tomatoes (or canned)
1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. ground coriander
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
2 L (8 c.) vegetable or chicken stock
1/2 c. black currant (like small raisins)
2 c. amaranth (the unidentified grain)

Directions:

1. In a large pot heat oil. Saute onions, celery, garlic and ginger.
2. Add spices, cook for 2 minutes.
3. Add tomatoes, potatoes and stock.
4. Bring mixture to a rolling boil, add amaranth.
5. Turn down heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
6. Stir occasionally.
7. Add carrots and currants.
8. Cook for another 10 minutes.

This soup will thicken as it cools, eventually becoming stew-like. Serve with pita bread or grainy buns. I think it's the currants that makes this soup so unique...

Happy Cooking!

- Lesli

TAGS: Amaranth, Amaranth Soup, Comfort Foods, Fall Soups, Health Food Store, Soup, Stew, Sweet Potato
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