NUTTY SWEET POTATO SOUP WITH HARISSA AND SPINACH

NUTTY SWEET POTATO SOUP WITH HARISSA AND SPINACH image

Yield 8 8

Number Of Ingredients 14

Harissa is a smoky North African chili paste made from smoked chiles, olive oil, spices, and sometimes tomatoes. Heat and flavor vary from brand to brand. This recipe was made with a French-produced harissa with a mild heat and extra sweetness from tomatoes.
2 Tbs. olive oil
2 medium leeks, white and light green parts thinly sliced (2 cups)
3 Tbs. tomato paste
3 Tbs. creamy peanut butter
1 ½ Tbs. harissa paste
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
1 tsp. ground turmeric
¾ tsp. ground cumin
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced ¼-inch thick (5 cups)
3 ½ cups low-sodium vegetable broth
3 oz. spinach leaves, thinly sliced (2 packed cups)
Lemon wedges, for garnish
Blend mixture with immersion blender, adding more water if soup is too

Steps:

1. Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add leeks, and sauté 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, peanut butter, harissa, garlic, turmeric, and cumin; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add sweet potatoes, broth, and 1 1/2 cups water, and simmer over medium-low heat, partially covered, 20 to 25 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are tender. 2. Blend mixture with immersion blender, adding more water if soup is too thick. Bring soup back to a simmer, and stir in spinach leaves. Serve with lemon wedges.