Roasted Carrot and Fennel Soup With Miso-Glazed Mushrooms and Cashew Cream

Directions

1Place cashews in a small bowl and pour in water to cover. Let soak at room temperature at least 2 hours and up to 4 hours.

2Preheat oven to 400°. Toss carrots and fennel on a rimmed baking sheet with 2 Tbsp. oil and 1 tsp. salt. Season with pepper. Roast, rotating pan halfway through, until vegetables are just starting to brown around the edges, about 20 minutes.

3Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium-high. Add onion, ginger, and ¼ tsp. salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened slightly and translucent, about 5 minutes. Mix in roasted carrots and fennel, then add mirin, scraping up any browned bits. Pour in broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until vegetables are softened, 30–40 minutes.

4Meanwhile, whisk 2 tsp. miso and 1 Tbsp. warm water in a small bowl to combine. Heat remaining 1 Tbsp. oil in a medium skillet over high. Cook mushrooms, tossing occasionally, until golden brown, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat, add miso mixture, and stir to coat. Set aside.

5Drain cashews and transfer to a blender. Pour in enough water to cover (½–¾ cup) and blend on high speed until smooth and light. (about 2 minutes if you’re using a high-speed blender). It should be the consistency of just-whipped cream. Thin with more water if needed.

6Remove pot with carrot mixture from heat and stir in remaining 1 Tbsp. miso. Purée soup with an immersion blender until smooth (or, use a regular blender, working in batches if needed). Thin with more broth or water, if needed. Stir in vinegar; taste and season with more salt and pepper if needed. Stir in ¼ cup cashew cream.

7Ladle soup into bowls and top with reserved mushrooms, a dollop of cashew cream, and reserved fennel fronds.