It seems almost the entire U.S. is locked down with cold, freezing temperatures. Ice storms, avalanches, Nor’easter mega storms. I’ve heard from so many house-bound readers that are whipping up pots of stew, savory chili and delectable soups that they would not normally have the time to make to take the edge off winter’s firm grip.
I too am a soup lover. I love soaking beans overnight to make Split Pea Soup, lentil dishes or other hearty soups. A favorite of mine are winter squash soups which admittedly are a more recent love. As a child we really did not eat winter squash and as I made their acquaintance as an adult most of the dishes with them were sweetened. Acorn squash with brown sugar, the infamous Thanksgiving Yam Casserole with mini marshmallows. For me that added sweetness to the dense natural sweetness was too much.
Fortunately my interest in conquering the winter squash and sweet potatoes prevailed and I discovered something I loved; counter balancing the sweetness with something salty and spicy. Winter squash and sweet potatoes makes the most creamy, smooth textured soup without the help of any dairy additive.
Years ago when fitness magazines first came out there was a walking magazine, called Walking. It started around the time when Shape magazine started. As the name suggests, the magazine covered all aspects of walking both for workouts and touring, as well as included recipes. I was a youngster experimenting with cooking I discovered a soup recipe that I adored. I finally left the dog-eared magazine in my past sure it could be found somewhere online but alas it is not.
The recipe used pumpkin and cannellini beans pureed to make a smooth, flavorful soup with higher protein and fiber without altering the true flavor of the pumpkin. I did my best to recreate it a few years ago and adopted a similar approach with this recipe to a luscious end result! I found the color of this soup irresistible but the sweetness offset by the smoldering chipotle, adorned with just a little bit of bacon has been enough for me to consider keeping the leftovers on a refrigerator shelf behind crime tape, warning my family not to touch it so I can have it all to myself!
Sweet potatoes are chock full of fantastic vitamins and minerals making them a dense healthy food. Though there is a wee amount of bacon as a garnish, I consider this at the top of the ‘healthy soup’ list to ring in the new year.
Roasted Sweet Potato Chipotle Soup with Bacon Bits
Ingredients
- 4 pounds Sweet Potatoes , scrubbed and dried with skins on (do not prick the skins; the skin will balloon while roasting making it very easy to remove afterwards)
- 1 medium Yellow Onion , chopped (approximately 1 cup)
- 2 Garlic Cloves , chopped
- 1 teaspoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 3 strips of Bacon , cooked until crisp, drained and crumbled into bits
- 1 15- ounce can Cannellini Beans , drained
- 6-8 cups Low Sodium Chicken Stock (I always use organic)
- 1 ½-2 teaspoons Adobo Sauce (found in Chipotle en Adobo; just do not use the actual chilies)
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour until they are soft when pressed. Allow to cool until they can be comfortably handled; remove the skins and place them in a very large mixing bowl or stock pot.
- While the potatoes are cooking, add the olive oil to a medium skillet and sauté the onions and garlic until translucent; 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and add to the mixing bowl with the potatoes.
- Add the cannellini beans, 6 cups chicken stock, and 1 ½ teaspoon adobo sauce to the mixing bowl or stock pot. Roughly mash the sweet potatoes with a potato masher or mixing spoon.
- Process in batches either through a traditional blender or using an immersion blender until the mixture is completely smooth. Transfer batching into a large stock pot over medium heat.
- Heat soup until lightly simmering. Taste and add salt or pepper. The soup will be thick. If desiring a thinner soup, add the remaining chicken stock, 1 cup at a time, fully whisking or stirring to incorporate before adding the second cup (if at all). If more spiciness is desired the remaining ½ teaspoon of adobo sauce may also be added. Serve hot garnished with a small amount of bacon crumblings.
Nina says
This is the best soup!
Sippitysup says
I think I’ll make this today! GREG
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
Total comfort food! You know, I’ve done pumpkin soup and carrot soup… but never sweet potato. Kinda brilliant!
Toni Dash says
You are generous to suggest brilliance Brian, ‘miraculous’ might be more on point since I’ve spent most of my life avoiding sweet potatoes. The mini marshmallow number lurking on the buffet table every Thanksgiving ruined me.
Joelen says
My son is a huge fan of sweet potatoes… I am going to need to make this soon for him!
Toni Dash says
What a blessing Joan! I have to finesse alot to get my kids to eat sweet potatoes BUT my son really did like the soup (the bacon helped)!
Betsy | JavaCupcake.com says
I’ve been seeing lots of recipes for new, inventive ways to make sweet potatoes… but I think this one is my favorite! I can’t wait to make it!
Toni Dash says
Thank you Betsy, you are too kind! I love this soup for the flavor and how easy it is to pull together. Not fussy at all!
Amy @Very Culinary says
A need a spoon. STAT.
Toni Dash says
LOL!
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
i am also falling in love with this. Thanks so much for sharing. This has all my favorite ingredients!
Toni Dash says
Oh Abbe than you must make it! So easy and filling….and of course delicious!
Julia says
LOVE IT! What the East coast has been getting in winter weather, we’re lacking in winter weather over here in Tahoe. It’s been sunny, sunny, sunny, and not too chilly. I’d gladly take some snow and deary days to cozy up next to the fire and feel all couped up. This soup is right up my alley – I adore sweet potatoes in any form and the bacon is calling my name! Sunny or not, I’m ready for a huge bowl of this!
Toni Dash says
The weather is so odd isn’t it? We are getting a great snow in the mountains, not alot in Boulder though it’s cold and has been crazy windy (80 mph gusts in the last days). I’m with you; any day is a great soup day to me.
cheri says
I’m a soup lover myself and this looks delicious!
Toni Dash says
I promise Cheri, it is!