ITAL CARROT AND SWEET POTATO SOUP

Ital Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup image

Provided by Food Network

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

4 cups fresh carrot juice
2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 3D4-inch chunks
1 (4-ounce) can chickpeas, drained
1 (1 1/2-inch) creamed coconut chunk, cut from a block*
1 small hot red chile, preferably Scotch Bonnet, chopped (wear gloves)
1 (3/4-inch) piece fresh ginger, very finely chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves picked and finely chopped
1 large handful callaloo (amaranth) or spinach leaves, washed thoroughly, stemmed, optional
Stock, as needed
1 chunk butter, optional
Freshly ground black pepper, optional
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
Cream, sour cream or Greek yogurt, for service, optional

Steps:

Bring the carrot juice to a boil in a medium-sized saucepan. Add the sweet potatoes, chickpeas, creamed coconut, chile, ginger, garlic, and thyme. Simmer the ingredients gently, covered, for 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft. Shred the callaloo or spinach, if using, and add the leaves to the soup 5 minutes before the end of the cooking process. Leave the soup chunky or smash the chickpeas, and sweet potato with a potato masher, if desired. Adjust the consistency of the soup, to taste, with a little extra carrot juice or stock if you decide to mash it, as it will become very thick. Finish the soup with the butter, if using, and season with black pepper. Garnish with the fresh cilantro, and serve each bowl with a drizzle of cream or a dollop of Greek yogurt on top.