Someday when the hot summer goes away and let’s the fall evening start coming in here is something yummy to look forward too! Our friends over at loveandlemons.com have some awesome soups to warm you up:

Carrot Ginger Soup

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup chopped yellow onions
• 3 garlic cloves, smashed
• 2 heaping cups chopped carrots
• 1½ teaspoons grated fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 3 to 4 cups vegetable broth
• Sea salt and fresh black pepper
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup, or to taste (optional)
• coconut milk for garnish, optional
• dollops of pesto, optional

Instructions

• Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and a generous pinch of salt and pepper and cook until softened, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Add the smashed garlic cloves (they’ll get blended later) and chopped carrots to the pot and cook about 8 minutes more, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in the ginger, then add the apple cider vinegar, and then add 3 to 4 cups of broth, depending on your desired consistency. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the carrots are soft, about 30 minutes.
• Let cool slightly and transfer to a blender. Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings. Add maple syrup, if desired.
• Serve with a drizzle of coconut milk and/or a dollop of pesto, if desired.

Creamy Potato Soup

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 large white onion, chopped
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1½ pounds Yukon gold potatoes, about 5, chopped
• 1½ cups cooked white beans, drained and rinsed
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
• Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, salt, and several grinds of pepper. Sauté 6 to 8 minutes, until softened.
• Add the garlic, stir, and cook 2 more minutes. Stir in the white wine vinegar and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds, and then add the broth, potatoes, and white beans. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer 30 minutes.
• Let cool slightly, then transfer half of the soup to a blender with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, the mustard, lemon juice, and paprika. Blend until smooth and return the pureed soup back to the pot.
• Use a potato masher to gently smash the potato chunks and beans. Season to taste with more salt and pepper and serve with desired toppings.

Yellow Split Pea Soup

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup yellow split peas
• 1 medium Yukon gold potato, peeled and chopped
• Kernels from 4 ears corn (about 2 1⁄2 cups)
• 3⁄4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon sea salt, more to taste
• 3⁄4 cup Cashew Cream (recipe below)
• 1½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Cashew Cream (makes extra)

• 3⁄4 cup raw cashews (soaked 2 hours, if not using a Vitamix)
• 2⁄3 cup water
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt

Toppings options:

• chives
• extra fresh corn kernels
• chopped parsley
• red pepper flakes
• coconut bacon
• olive oil, for drizzling

Instructions

1. Make the cashew cream. Combine the cashews, water, and salt in a blender and process until very smooth. Set ¾ cup aside.
2. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes, until the onion is tender and translucent. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
3. Stir in the broth, split peas, potato, corn, paprika, and salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 45 minutes, until the split peas are completely tender.
4. Use an immersion blender to partially puree the soup, or puree about half of it in a regular blender and return it to the pot. Stir in the Cashew Cream and apple cider vinegar. Taste and adjust the seasonings if desired. (I added up to 1 teaspoon more sea salt here). Serve piping hot, with any desired toppings.