Cooking with Chef Ned Bell: Fresh BC
Ingredients and Local Brews from Coquitlam

Join Chef Ned Bell, the BC Ale Trail and CTV Your Morning Vancouver for a series of delicious recipes featuring local, seasonal ingredients, and BC craft beer. In this edition, Chef Ned spotlights Mariner Brewing in Coquitlam.

Roasted Carrot, Apple and Winter Ale Soup

Made and paired with craft beer from Mariner Brewing

Recipe by Chef Ned Bell

About the Recipe

This dish brings together three BC producers who are each redefining local flavour in their own way.

Avery Family Farms is growing crisp, flavourful lettuces year-round in the Okanagan using sustainable, pesticide-free greenhouse practices that keep freshness in season every day.

Tree Island Yogurt, handcrafted on Vancouver Island with fresh milk from small family farms, adds creamy richness and wholesome balance to every bite.

And Coquitlam’s Mariner Brewing pairs innovation and community spirit in every pint, creating beers that are as expressive and food-friendly as they are local. Visit them on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail. 

Together, they showcase the best of BC’s food culture — thoughtful craftsmanship, local collaboration, and the delicious rewards of eating and drinking close to home.

Full recipe below

Ingredients:

Soup

• 2 lbs carrots (or substitute with fall or winter squash if preferred), peeled if desired, trimmed, and roughly chopped into 1-inch pieces
• 4 tbsp brown butter or olive oil
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 large onion, peeled and diced
• 3 tbsp garlic, minced
• 4 tbsp butter
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 1 (473 ml) can of Winter Ale from Mariner Brewing
• 2 medium apples, cored and diced (peel can be left on)
• 2 litres vegetable stock (or chicken stock if preferred)
• 1 tsp each ground cumin, coriander, chili powder, turmeric, and cinnamon

Yogurt Garnish

• 1 cup Tree Island Yogurt
• 4 tbsp maple syrup (or BC honey, gently warmed if using)
• 1 tbsp cracked black pepper
• 1 tsp salt

Avery Farms Lettuces Salad

• 1–2 heads of Avery Farms lettuce (choose from Roma Romaine, Sweet Leaf, Red Leaf, or Crispy Leaf)

Dressing

• 1 cup Tree Island Yogurt
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp salt

Garnish

• 4 tbsp toasted and chopped local hazelnuts
• ¼ BC apple, sliced thin

Method:

Soup

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Toss the chopped carrots with brown butter (or olive oil) and salt. Spread evenly on a lined baking tray and roast for 30 to 40 minutes until golden brown and caramelized.
3. In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter and olive oil together.
4. Add the onions and cook for 10 minutes until softened.
5. Add the garlic and cook for 3 minutes.
6. Add the roasted carrots and apples, and cook for 5 minutes.
7. Stir in the spices and cook for 1 minute to release their aroma.
8. Add the Winter Ale and cook for 1 minute.
9. Add the vegetable stock and simmer gently for 12 to 15 minutes. Do not boil.
10. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
11. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Puree with a hand blender or in a high-speed blender until smooth.
12. Keep warm until ready to serve.

Yogurt Garnish
Mix all ingredients together until smooth and set aside to garnish the soup.

Avery Farms Lettuces Salad

Trim the base and chop into 1–2 inch pieces, or leave the leaves whole.

Dressing
Whisk all ingredients together until smooth and set aside.

To Serve

For the Soup:
Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with a generous spoonful of the maple black pepper yogurt.

For the Salad:
Toss the Avery Farms lettuces with the nuts, apples, and dressing. Serve immediately alongside the soup with your favourite fresh bread.

Beer Pairing Notes

This dish pairs beautifully with Coquitlam’s Mariner Brewing’s lineup of handcrafted beers.

Winter Ale: The warm spices and malty richness echo the flavours of the roasted carrots and apples in the soup.

Lafarge Lake Lager: Its crisp, clean finish balances the creaminess of the yogurt and the freshness of the Avery Farms salad.

Belgian Tripel with Pear and Honey: The subtle sweetness and spiced complexity complement the maple and black pepper yogurt garnish perfectly.

Enjoy the harmony of BC-grown ingredients, craft beer, and community spirit.

Every Pint Tells a Story

Supporting Local. Celebrating Community.