Easy Carrot Soup: My new favorite recipe!

Topped with toasted almonds & fresh cilantro - wow!

Topped with homemade tomatillo salsa, toasted almonds, and squeeze of lime - super WOW!

I usually check a few of my favorite food blogs at least once per week.  One that always inspires me is 101 Cookbooks.  Everything she makes is incredibly healthy and always has layers of flavor and texture.  When searching for a new recipe I think about the ingredients that appeal to me and also the layers of flavor and texture in the dish.  The recipe needs to be easy, too!  This one caught my eye and I had to make it right away...it is as easy as can be and I already had everything I needed to make it without a trip to the store.  This recipe only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish and it is delicious.  Easy, fast, healthy, and delicious - that spells perfect in my book.  :)

Easy & Delicious Carrot Soup

Adapted from a 101 Cookbooks recipe

2 tablespoons unsalted butter or extra-virgin olive oil

1 leek, halved and sliced
2 pounds carrots, peeled and chopped - 1/2-inch chunks
1 13.5-ounce can unsweetened coconut milk (not Lite)

1 ½ cups water (just fill empty coconut can with water stir to catch any coconut left on inside of can)
1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt, or to taste
1 lime (cut into slices for serving)

In a large sauce pan over medium heat add the butter and leek. Sauté leek for a few minutes, until they start to turn translucent and golden brown around edges. Stir in the carrots. Allow to cook another minute or two, and then add the coconut milk, salt, and water. Allow to simmer until the carrots are tender, 10 - 15 minutes, and then puree using a blender or hand blender until the soup is completely silky smooth. This next part is important (with any soup) - make any needed adjustments. Add more water if the consistency needs to be thinned out a bit. After that taste for salt, adding more if needed. Squeeze  a slice of  lime over individual servings and serve topped with whatever greens and nuts you like best.  I like the following:  chopped cilantro, homemade tomatillo salsa, toasted almonds, and a squeeze of lime is a MUST!