SMOKY SWEET-POTATO SOUP

Smoky Sweet-Potato Soup image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 small leek, white and pale-green parts only, thinly sliced and rinsed well
1 tart green apple, such as Granny Smith, cored, peeled, and cut into 1-inch chunks
1 celery stalk, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger
2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
6 cups chicken stock
1 medium canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup salted pepitas (green hulled pumpkin seeds)

Steps:

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook garlic and leek until soft and translucent, about 4 minutes. Add apple, celery, and ginger, and cook for 3 minutes. Add sweet potatoes and stock, and simmer until sweet potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Add chipotle chile.
Working in batches, transfer mixture to a blender, and puree until smooth, transferring soup to a large bowl as you work. (For safety, remove cap from hole in lid, and cover with a dish towel to prevent spattering.) Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with pepitas before serving.