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Carrot Coriander and Chilli Soup

Origin: MaltesePeriod: Traditional

Carrot Coriander and Chilli Soup is a vibrant, warmly spiced broth-based soup in which the natural sweetness of carrots is balanced by the aromatic freshness of coriander and the gentle heat of chilli. As a consommé-style preparation, it is characterised by a clarified, refined liquid base enriched with tomato puree and finished with olive oil, lending both depth of flavour and a silken mouthfeel. Rooted in Maltese culinary tradition, the dish reflects the island's historical crossroads of Mediterranean, North African, and Southern European influences, which together shaped a cuisine of bold aromatics and resourceful vegetable-forward cooking.

Cultural Significance

Malta's culinary heritage is deeply informed by centuries of foreign rule and maritime trade, and soups of this character speak to the island's long tradition of transforming humble garden vegetables into refined, nourishing dishes. The use of olive oil as a foundational fat and tomato puree as a flavour anchor aligns closely with the broader Mediterranean soup-making canon, while the incorporation of coriander and chilli suggests the enduring North African and Levantine threads woven into Maltese cookery. The precise historical origins of this specific preparation are not fully documented in the scholarly record, though it is broadly recognised as part of the traditional domestic repertoire.

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Prep15 min
Cook30 min
Total45 min
Servings4
Difficultyintermediate

Ingredients

  • (2oz) onion
    50 g
  • (2oz) celery
    50 g
  • g.(2oz) potato
    50 unit
  • (14oz) carrots
    400 g
  • 2 tsp
  • Red chilli Paste
    ½ tsp
  • 1 tsp
  • ltr (¾pt) Vegetable Stock
    1 unit
  • (3oz) chopped fresh coriander
    84 g

Method

1
Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until it shimmers. Add finely chopped carrots and sauté for 4-5 minutes until they begin to soften.
5 minutes
2
Stir in a spoonful of tomato purée and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to caramelise slightly and deepen the flavour.
2 minutes
3
Add finely chopped fresh chilli to the pan and stir to combine with the carrot and tomato base. Cook for a further minute to release the chilli's heat.
1 minutes
4
Pour in enough cold water or light vegetable stock to cover the ingredients generously. Bring the liquid to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
5 minutes
5
Reduce the heat to a low simmer and cook uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the carrots are completely tender and the broth is fragrant.
25 minutes
6
Carefully strain the soup through a fine-mesh sieve or muslin cloth to achieve a clear, consommé-style broth, discarding the solids or reserving them for another use.
5 minutes
7
Return the clarified broth to the saucepan over low heat and season with salt to taste. Stir in a generous handful of freshly chopped coriander leaves.
3 minutes
8
Ladle the hot soup into warmed bowls and garnish with a few fresh coriander leaves and a light drizzle of olive oil before serving immediately.