Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 tablespoons whole coriander seeds
  • 1 3-inch cinnamon stick, broken into pieces
  • 1 whole clove
  • 1 tablespoon hot red pepper flakes
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1 small carrot, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1/2 stalk celery, diced small
  • 1/2 small onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 fennel bulb (including stalks), thinly sliced
  • 13 cup verjus or orange juice
  • 1 cup fresh carrot juice
  • 3/4 cup chicken stock or water, more as needed
  • 1/2 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
  • 2 teaspoons butter
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • Salt

Method

  • In a spice grinder or a mini food processor, combine coriander, cinnamon and clove.
  • Grind to a powder, mix with red pepper flakes and set aside.
  • In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat oil and add carrot, celery, onion and fennel.
  • Saute until softened, about 5 minutes.
  • Add spice mixture and stir constantly until toasted, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Add verjus or orange juice and simmer until almost completely evaporated.
  • Add carrot juice and reduce by two-thirds.
  • Add 3/4 cup chicken stock or water, and cook until reduced by half.
  • Remove from heat and pour through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible; there should be about 2/3 cup of liquid.
  • Discard solids and transfer liquid to a blender or a food processor.
  • Add pumpkin seeds, and blend until smooth.
  • Blend in butter and honey and, if desired, chicken stock or water to thin to desired consistency.
  • Season with salt to taste.
  • Use immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours; reheat gently before serving.