Description
Hearty African sweet potato soup brings warmth from West African kitchens with its rich, spicy profile. Creamy potatoes, aromatic spices, and smooth textures invite you to savor a comforting culinary journey through traditional flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Vegetables:
- 3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 large parsnip, peeled and cubed
- 1 red pepper, deseeded and roughly chopped
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds (or ground cumin)
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes (plus more for garnish)
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, finely grated
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper to season
- 2–3 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
Liquid and Additional Ingredients:
- 400 g (14 oz) can chopped tomatoes
- 900 ml (4 cups) hot vegetable stock
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Handful of finely chopped roasted peanuts (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium temperature. Toast cumin seeds, chili flakes, and freshly grated ginger until their aromas release and dance through the kitchen, approximately 60 seconds.
- Incorporate diced onions, minced garlic, and a touch of sugar. Sauté gently, allowing the onions to soften and become translucent, creating a fragrant base for the soup.
- Add chunky sweet potato pieces, roughly chopped parsnip, and vibrant red pepper. Stir thoroughly to ensure the vegetables absorb the aromatic spices and develop deep, rich flavors.
- Pour in ripe chopped tomatoes and vegetable stock. Elevate the heat to create a rolling boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer, allowing vegetables to tenderize and meld together for approximately 15 minutes.
- Transform the soup’s texture using an immersion blender, creating a velvety smooth consistency. If using a standard blender, carefully transfer in small batches to prevent splashing.
- Whisk peanut butter into the warm soup, ensuring complete integration and creating a luxurious, creamy foundation with nutty undertones.
- Season with salt and pepper, tasting and adjusting flavors to achieve perfect balance.
- Serve in warmed bowls, garnishing with a sprinkle of roasted peanuts, additional chili flakes, and a delicate drizzle of olive oil to enhance visual appeal and provide contrasting textures.
Notes
- Spice Awakening: Toasting cumin seeds and chili flakes before adding other ingredients releases deeper, more complex flavor profiles.
- Vegetable Harmony: Cooking sweet potatoes, parsnip, and red pepper together allows their natural sweetness to blend beautifully.
- Texture Transformation: Using an immersion blender creates a silky, creamy consistency without heavy cream.
- Nutty Depth: Stirring peanut butter into the soup adds rich protein and creates a luxurious, velvety mouthfeel.
- Temperature Strategy: Simmering vegetables for precisely 15 minutes ensures perfect tenderness without losing nutritional value.
- Garnish Magic: Sprinkling roasted peanuts and extra chili flakes provides contrasting crunch and heat to the smooth soup.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: African
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg