This was our favorite recipe test of the soup batch. Inspired by a sweet potato and apple purée I make every year for Thanksgiving, the soup also has savory overtones. For a spectacular finish, garnish each bowl with a squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of medium-hot chili powder or chipotle chili powder.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons canola oil or butter
- 2 leeks, white and light green parts only, cleaned and sliced
- 4 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
- 2 ¼ pounds orange sweet potatoes (like jewel yams or garnet yams), peeled and diced
- ½ pound Yukon gold or russet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 to 1 ¼ pounds tart apples, like Braeburn or Granny Smith, peeled, cored and diced
- 2 quarts water
- Salt to taste
- Fresh lime juice and medium-hot chili powder or chipotle chili powder for garnish
- Nutritional Information
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)
271 calories; 4 grams fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 2 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 55 grams carbohydrates; 8 grams dietary fiber; 16 grams sugars; 3 grams protein; 839 milligrams sodium
Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.
6 to 8 servings.
Preparation
- Heat the oil or butter in a heavy soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the leek and cook, stirring, until it is tender, about 5 minutes. Add the ginger and stir together until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the sweet potatoes, regular potato, apples and water and bring to a simmer. Add salt to taste, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 45 minutes to an hour, until all of the ingredients are thoroughly tender.
- Using an immersion blender, purée the soup (or you can use a regular blender, working in batches and placing a kitchen towel over the top to avoid splashing) until very smooth. Return to the pot, heat through and adjust salt. Ladle into bowls, squeeze a little lime juice and sprinkle a little chili powder over each serving and serve.
- Advance preparation: You can make this a day ahead, but it’s best freshly made.
1 hour 10 minutes

Dining and Cooking