Carrot ginger soup with Thai chili oil, lentils, kale and potatoes

For the soup
1T of cooking oil
1/4 of sea salt
1T of ginger, grated
2 heaping cups of carrots, chopped
2 cups of vegetable stock
1T of arrowroot powder whisked with 2T of water
Sea salt to taste

For the garnishes
1/4 cup of cooked beluga lentils*
1T of minced chives

1 cup of kale, chopped
2t of cooking oil
1/4t of sea salt
2T of nutritional yeast
Sea salt to taste

2 small white or yellow potatoes in 1/3″ dice (about 3/4 cup)
2t of cooking oil
1/4 of sea salt
1T of minced chives

1T of agave nectar
1t of red Thai chili paste
2t of olive oil

Start the garnishes, and then make the soup.
Preheat the over to 400F
Whisk the agave nectar, chili paste and olive oil, and then set aside.
Toss the potatoes in the oil, sea salt and chives.
Add to a well-oiled baking sheet and roast for about 10-15 minutes, turning frequently.
Toss the kale in the oil and sea salt.
Add to the pan with the potatoes and roast another 10-15 minutes (or until the kale and potatoes are lightly browning and the potatoes are fork tender).
Ovens vary and the size of the dice and the freshness of the potatoes will influence the cooking time; use the colour and consistency as your guide and if you have to remove the potatoes and kale separately, do so..
When done, remove from the pan, toss the kale in the nutritional yeast a and set the kale and potatoes aside.
Season to taste.
While the kale and the potatoes roast, make the soup.
Bring the oil to heat on medium high in a pan with a lid.
Add the ginger and the sea salt and saute for 1 minute.
Add the carrots and saute for 3-5 minutes.
Add the stock, cover and simmer on low until the carrots are fork tender (about 10-15 minutes).
Remove from heat and puree the soup until smooth.
Whisk the arrowroot with the water.
Return to heat and bring to a light simmer.
Whisk in the arrowroot mixture, stirring continuously until thickened.
Remove from heat and let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Season to taste.
To serve, ladle the soup.
Carefully drip the chili oil over the soup.
Sprinkle the kale on top in a thin layer, then the lentils, followed by the potatoes and finally, sprinkle with the chives.

*If you make the lentils from scratch, simmer them in 2 parts water to 1 part lentils covered on low until the water absorbs. I simmer my with kombu.