Sweet Potato Soup

A simple soup to whip up after a cold day.  The health benefits of the sweet potato is surprising with its antioxidant nature (excellent source of vitamin A), anti-inflammatory nutrients, and blood sugar-regulating nutrients. Because they are very rich in beta carotene, sweet potatoes are excellent immunity boosters. A chipotle  (pronounced chi-POHT-lay) is a smoke-dried jalapeño and is used in Mexican cuisine. It is a common ingredient for salsas and other hot and spicy sauces. Chipotle peppers are usually packed in cans with a sauce (adobo) made of spices, vinegar, tomato sauce and sometimes other chilies. You can use the chilies, the sauce, or both in recipes. Add whole chipotles to a soup, stew or in the braising liquid for meats. Chipotles are also a nice addition to beans or lentils.  Capsaicin is the active ingredient in chipotle which produces the heat. Capsaicin is being studied as an effective treatment for sensory nerve fiber disorders, including pain associated with arthritis, psoriasis, and diabetic neuropathy.

Serves 4 to 6
recipe adapted from Chef at Home
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1/4 cup olive oil
2 onions, peeled and chopped
4 cups chicken stock
2 large sweet potatoes, washed and grated
1 chipotle pepper, in adobo sauce
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cumin
sprinkle of sea salt

The Garnish:
1 small bunch cilantro, minced
1/2 cup sour cream

Place a large pot over medium-high heat and add oil and onions. Sauté until golden brown. Add the stock and grated sweet potatoes and stir. Bring to a simmer and add chipotle pepper, cinnamon, cumin and sea salt. Continue to simmer until potatoes have softened. Puree in a blender, or with an immersion blender. Season to taste and if necessary, adjust the thickness of the soup by adding a cup or so of water.

For the garnish, stir cilantro into sour cream. Top each bowl of soup with a dollop of sour cream.


The Culinary Chase’s Note: The chipotle left a relatively mild but earthy/smoky spiciness to the soup. I removed the chipotle before puréeing as I wasn’t sure how much more heat would have been added to the soup. I felt the heat was perfect but you decide.  Delicious either way!