I know what you are thinking: Popcorn Croutons?

  Genius.

  This week's theme over at Banana Bambinos is fun ways to cook with popcorn. So this isn't your regular: here-is-how-you-make-kettle-corn theme, it is a here-is-how-you-make-cookies-with-popcorn-bits kinda theme.

  Of course, this isn't a cookie. But as I am on a savoury kick, I thought I would make on kick-ass soup dish and top it with popcorn croutons. Because popcorn is crunchy and light and bread-ish and, well, just all around awesome.

  If you do not have a high-speed blender with a soup setting, fear not! This soup can still be made. Just boil all your veg, that is the carrots and red pepper. You don't even need to boil the pepper, throwing it in raw will make your soup sweeter. But probably boil the carrot. Because those babies are hard and your food processor may not be too happy about that.

  Also: the popcorn. There are several ways you can make it: in your microwave, on the stove, or in a popcorn machine.

  If you have a popcorn machine: you have reached all new levels of cool for making an investment in your love for our puffed maize.  

Curried Carrot Coconut Soup with Garlic Popcorn Croutons

Makes: 1 large serving (I have only pictured a third of the recipe here)

2 large carrots, peeled and chopped

1/2 a red pepper, sliced

2 garlic cloves, peeled

1/4 cup coconut milk

1/2 tsp onion powder

1 tsp curry powder (I add a pinch of cinnamon to mine for extra oomph)

salt and pepper, to taste

1 tbsp popcorn kernels OR 1/2 cup freshly popped popcorn

1 tbsp coconut oil

1 tbsp garlic powder

pinch of salt

Coriander, chopped

Blitz all the first seven ingredients in a vitamix on speed 10 for 10 minutes, or until hot. Alternatively you can boil the carrots until tender, then blend all of the ingredients in a regular food processor and reheat on the stove if necessary.

Toss the popcorn kernels with the oil, salt, and garlic powder.

Garnish soup with popcorn, and coriander. You may drizzle a little EVOO as a garnish.