Indian Roasted Carrot and Celery Root Soup {Recipe}

I am participating in a Fitness Challenge through D's work.  In addition to the fitness challenge part, there are nutrition challenges too.  This week's was to try a new fruit or vegetable every day. This was a bit difficult since we eat lots of fruits and veggies and our CSA share the last three years has exposed us to a variety of new vegetables.  So I headed to the grocery to see what I could find.  There were only a few items that would work, one of them was Celery Root. 

Source:  BubbleWS

Now these things are quite unattractive but turns out that underneath a knobby exterior is delicious, earthy tasting goodness.  But how best to eat the celery root?  I decided to roast it since roasting usually brings out such delicious flavor.  But what else?  I hit the fridge and found some carrots.  I was thinking of a delicious carrot ginger soup D and I had years ago.  But I wanted something with a kick so decided to go Indian. Tandoori and Sweet Curry - Yum!  Preparation is so easy. Roast, boil, blitz, enjoy!

I have been eating a serving as a starter for lunch or dinner (all the fiber helps to fill me up) but double the amount to a cup, add a salad with some shredded chicken on top and you have a low cal, low fat, filling meal.

I hope you enjoy this soup as much as I do.  If you want to kick up the spice, add more Tandoori or Sweet Curry.

Ingredients

• 1 large celery root, peeled and chopped
• 2 lb carrots peeled and chopped
• 1 T olive oil
• 4 cups chicken stock sub veg stock to make vegetarian)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon  pepper
• 1 teaspoon Tandoori seasoning
• 1 teaspoon  Sunny Paris seasoning, Penzeys
• 1/2 teaspoon  Sweet Curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• In a large bowl, toss celery root and carrots with the olive oil
• Place on cookie sheet
• Roast for 60 minutes or until soft
• Once carrots and celery root are roasted, place in a large pot with stock
• Bring to boil
• Reduce heat
• Puree with stick blender (or in a food processor)
• Add spices and seasonings
• Let simmer for 10-15 minutes to let flavors meld

Nutritional Info
Serving size: 1/2 cup

• Calories: 58
• Carbs: 8
• Fat: 2
• Protein: 2
• Sodium: 284
• Fiber:  4

Sneak Peeks: Clues into Some Upcoming Reveals

Since there has been a lot going on over the last year or so, we have a few projects to reveal over the coming months.

Of course, in prime K & D style, we have some details to finish on some of them (isn't that always the way?) but I can give you some clues and sneak peaks to wet your appetite.

Not used in a bathroom.

Source: Houzz

As time consuming as you would imagine.

Source: Cutting Edge Stencils

Used on several projects, inside and out.

Source:  Wille Logging

Yes, this one is for canning. Couldn't think of anything else you would use it for. :)

Source: Amazon

Not used to line a sidewalk.

Source: Dollar Tree

Not for drying off.

Source: Sam's Club

Hopefully these random images have you intrigued.  I tried to come up with the most random assortment of photos I could. And, don't worry, none of these are from the same project.  So no pressure canning by solar light. :)

Willow & Cricket Wednesday

Watching their favorite show, "Critters in the Yard"

I'm Getting Back into the Blogging Saddle

After a very very long hiatus to get some balance back into my life, I am back to blogging.  I was spending so much time on the computer that other parts of my life were suffering and I needed to get some things back on track.  All is good and Claiming Our Space is back in business.

We have been busy in the K & D household.  Lots of projects to reveal and crafts to show you.  But first, we have a new family member.  No it isn't a baby.  It is a second dog.  Meet Cricket.  He is a "foster fail" and we couldn't be happier.

Last summer, we decided that we would foster for the same rescue, Refurbished Pets of Southern Michigan, that our sweet Willow came from.  Alfalfa was our first foster (you will meet him in a couple of weeks, I am sure) and we while we were sad to see him go, he was never meant to be ours. 

Cricket was another story.  From the first day we had him, he just fit with our little family.  Someone inquired about adopting him after we had him for about 6 weeks and we panicked that he wouldn't be in our lives forever, so we decided to make him a permanent member of the family. 

Willow likes him (some days more than others).

He loves D, especially when they get to snuggle in the ugly blue recliner.

And he is laying under my desk right now with his head on my foot. 

So from now on Wednesday will be Willow & Cricket Wednesday. :)

Haven't yet worked out my posting schedule but I can tell you that we will be focusing on the house, the garden, food, exercise and nutrition and of course, the dogs.  D and I are on a weight loss journey to get back in shape for 2014.  Doing well so far but still have a ways to go. 

So stay tuned...