Chilled Carrot and Tomato-Mint Soup

This beautifully-colored, bright, and refreshing chilled soup is perfect for a summer evening or light lunch. Serve with fresh bread.

Ingredients

• 1 pound carrots
• 4 large vine-ripened tomatoes, seeded and quartered
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided, or as needed
• kosher salt to taste
• 0.5 onion, finely chopped
• 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
• 1 (32 fluid ounce) container vegetable broth
• 0.25 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1 tablespoon table cream
• 1 teaspoon fresh mint leaves, or to taste

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Place carrots and tomatoes in a large roasting dish. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with kosher salt.
3. Roast in the preheated oven until tender, about 30 minutes.
4. While vegetables are roasting, heat remaining tablespoon olive oil in a stockpot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add celery and cook until softened, making sure onions do not burn, about 4 minutes. Pour in vegetable broth. Reduce heat to low and keep warm.
5. Remove vegetables from the oven; add tomatoes directly to simmering broth. Let carrots cool for 5 minutes.
6. Coarsely chop carrots and add to simmering broth. Season with additional kosher salt. Bring soup to a boil, reduce heat, and let simmer to intermingle flavors, about 20 minutes.
7. Carefully transfer soup to a large blender, working in batches if necessary. Add 1/4 cup mint. Cover blender and hold lid down with a potholder. Pulse a few times before leaving on to blend to a fine, smooth consistency. Transfer soup to a large serving bowl or container.
8. Chill soup in the refrigerator thoroughly, at least 2 hours. Garnish with 1 teaspoon mint leaves and a swirl of table cream before serving.