Look at that orange colour. That bowl represents Autumn to me, warm and comforting. Myself and himself went for lunch recently to the Pepperstack. I ordered soup for starter, forgetting that they always give a little cup of soup while you are waiting for your food, a nice touch. That day it was a delicious pork and apple soup and I was delighted that I ordered a full bowl.

It got me thinking what else would go well with apple in a soup. Given the time of year I was thinking pumpkin or squash but I already use squash in soup a lot. So I went with sweet potato. It’s not an ingredient I use too much as I don’t really like the texture of it. Don’t get me started on sweet potato fries! Anyway, it’s quite tasty in a soup and I am adding this to my list of favourite soups.

I recommend serving it with my Guinness Brown Bread. It freezes well too.

Useful tips & links:

• I’ve called this soup ‘spiced’ but it is not hot spicy. It is more layers of warming spice. If you like a kick add some chilli to this.
• Soup recipes are so adaptable, play around with your own favourites.
• I’ve kept this recipe Meat Free but I have to say, some crumbled crispy bacon on top is delicious.
• If you want to make it really fancy, toast some nuts and chop them to sprinkle on top.
• Have a look at Anula’s delicious looking Sweet Potato and Cheddar Soup.
• I have a range of soup recipes here to get you through the colder months.

 

 

 

 

Spiced Sweet Potato and Apple Soup

Serves 4-6

 

Ingredients:

• 1 onion, finely diced
• Olive Oil
• Salt and pepper
• 2 cloves of garlic, lightly crushed
• 1 carrot, diced
• 2 large sweet potatoes, diced
• 2 small apples
• ½ a teaspoon of ground cumin
• ½ a teaspoon of ground coriander
• A pinch of grated nutmeg
• A pinch of ground cinnamon
• ½ a teaspoon of ground turmeric
• 600ml of hot chicken or vegetable stock

Method:

• Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Gently cook the diced onions until soft. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add the garlic cloves and cook for another couple of minutes.
• Add the carrot, sweet potatoes and apples to the pot. Sprinkle over the dried spices and stir until all of the veg are coated with the spices.
• Pour in the hot stock and bring to a boil. If there is not enough stock to cover the veg add some boiled water.
• Reduce the heat and cover. Simmer the soup for about 20 minutes or until all of the veg is soft.
• Pour into a blender or blitz with a hand blender under smooth.
• Serve hot topped with a retro swirl of cream. I have also garnished it with Aleppo pepper and chopped coriander.