Moroccan carrot soup with chermoula

He is standing on one side of the cutting board, gingerly chopping cilantro to use in chermoula. His hands smell like garlic. I am washing carrots in the sink, letting the warm water run slowly through my fingers. My hands smell like the cilantro I just rinsed. Iron and Wine is playing on the stereo, Sam Beam’s gentle voice wrapping itself around the folk melody like a snake around its prey. There is the quiet atmosphere of concentration in the air, and though we occasionally talk, it’s clear that we’re here for one thing: making soup. But as in life, Moroccan carrot soup with chermoula is never just what it seems.

G and I began cooking Sunday dinners together almost accidentally a few months ago. He made a pact with himself to cook something different every Sunday, and I was just going about cooking dinner because I have this weird thing with food made for the week only tasting good the following day. And next thing you know, we were doing it together, two pairs of hands working on two different cutting boards on two sides of the same kitchen island.

At first, there was some accidental bumping and grinding, moments borne out of frustration at two people who are actually not that great at working together, even after four years of dating. But overall, the accidental nature of this ‘cooking together’ endeavour made it all feel effortless, natural and – dare I say it? – fun.

Then it happened again a weeks later, and again the following week. And then I went away, and missed his hands alongside mine on the same kitchen island. And then I realized that what I really missed was his quiet resolution, his honest eyes, his relentless work ethic, his long-winded talks about law.

So I came back, and we naturally fell into place, two pairs of hands working on two different cutting boards on two sides of the same kitchen island. Almost without noticing, and definitely without trying, a Sunday tradition was born.

This deep and richly flavoured Moroccan carrot soup with slightly spicy and herbaceous chermoula isn’t the result of one of these Sunday cooking sessions. However, it is absolutely worthy of a re-run, the incredible pairing of garlic and cilantro and sweet, earthy carrots a revelation in its own right.

Perhaps sharing in the preparation of this Moroccan carrot soup with chermoula with a loved one will make your union just as perfect?

A girl can hope.

More Soup Recipes to Try

For more soup recipes to enjoy with your family, I love this classic chicken soup or instant pot fish soup, which uses the whole fish! For something on the creamier side, try this kabocha squash soup.

Recipe