This rice-thickened French classic, known as Potage de Crécy, is simple and comforting. You can garnish it with any number of chopped fresh herbs, as well as with croutons.
Blend the soup either with a hand blender, in batches in a blender (cover the top with a towel and hold it down to avoid hot splashes), or through a food mill fitted with the fine blade. The rice should no longer be recognizable (it thickens the soup). Return to the pot. Stir and taste. Adjust salt, add a generous amount of freshly ground pepper, and heat through. If the sweetness of the carrots needs a boost, add another pinch of sugar.
03Serve, garnishing each bowl with croutons and a sprinkle of herbs.