Spicy Carrot Soup - Sopa de Zanahoria

I'm always coming up with new recipes using vegetable and spices to excite the taste buds. You'll find this quick and easy recipe very tasty! John, my wonderful husband that doesn't like vegetables, said I have to add this to the "Make it again" category. Wow, it's so exciting when I stumble upon ingredients that really please him! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Ingredients:
1½ Tablespoon Butter
1 whole Onion, Diced
3 cloves of Garlic, Minced
4 cups Carrots, Diced
4–5 cups Chicken Broth (I make my own. If you use pre-packaged, low sodium is best)
2 teaspoons Cumin
½ teaspoons Coriander
1/8 teaspoon ground Nutmeg
1/8 teaspoons ground Cloves
1/8 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
2 tablespoons Honey
1½ teaspoon Key Lime or Lemon Zest
1 tablespoon Key Lime or Lemon Juice (We can't get lemons in Costa Rica, so I always use the little limón criolla)
1 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Pepper
¾ cups Sour Cream or Mild Cheese (grated)
3 Tablespoons chopped Cilantro or Chive (garnish)

Directions:
Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté them until they are translucent. Add the garlic and sauté for a minute more. Add carrots and broth and bring everything to a boil. Lower the heat to a slow simmer and cook until the carrots are tender; about 20 minutes.

Remove the soup from heat and use an immersion blender or regular blender to blend soup until smooth. When using a regular blender, you may have to do it in small batches, because hot liquids will spill over the top of a full blender jar. Stir in all the spices, honey, key lime zest, juice, salt and pepper. Return the soup to the low heat and bring it back to a low simmer for 10 minutes. Ladle soup into bowls and top with a dollop of sour cream or grated cheese. Sprinkle with a little cilantro or chive.

¡Buen Provecho!