Southern Sweet Potato Soup
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 medium onion, chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 cups chicken broth
1 large sweet potato, peeled and sliced
1 1/2 tablespoons peanut butter
1 (1 1/4-inch) cinnamon stick
1 1/2 cups whipping cream*
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup whipping cream
2 teaspoons molasses
Pinch of salt
Pinch of ground nutmeg
Garnishes: chopped dry-roasted peanuts, fresh thyme sprigs
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium
heat; add onion and celery, and sauté 10 minutes or until
tender. Add garlic, and sauté 1 minute.
- Stir in broth and next 3 ingredients.
Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer 15 to 20 minutes or
until potato is tender. Remove and discard cinnamon stick. Process
sweet potato mixture in a blender or food processor until smooth.
(Caution! Hot liquids
create steam which will blow the top off the blender! Be sure to securely hold blender
lid down!)
- Return mixture to Dutch oven; stir in
1 1/2 cups whipping cream and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook over medium
heat, stirring constantly, until thoroughly heated.
- Beat 1/4 cup whipping cream, molasses,
pinch of salt, and nutmeg until soft peaks form. Serve with soup,
and garnish, if desired.
Makes 1 quart.
* 1 1/2 cups fat-free half-and-half may
be substituted for 1 1/2 cups whipping cream.