39 min Bacon-Sweet Potato soup

I’m always amazed that this soup comes together so quick. I recently shared this favorite on a @foodtoktv Live. It thick, rich with out the use of cream, and uses minimal ingredients. Even with some technical hiccups I managed to get the full recipe done. There are several versions of this online, this just happens to be the version I like best!

39 min Bacon-Sweet Potato Soup

Ingredients

• 1 package of pre-cooked bacon

• 1 medium red onion, chopped

• 1-2 large carrots chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/2 tbsp chopped dried parsley

• 2-3 sprigs of fresh thyme

• 1 tsp. kosher salt

• 1/2 tsp. Freshly ground black pepper

• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

• 3 sweet potatoes, peeled* and diced

• 4 c. Chicken or Vegetable stock

• Juice of 1 lime

• 4 tbsp of butter

*save some of the peels and fry up with the bacon for added texture and flavor.

Preparation

1. Chop the bacon

2. Dice your onions

3. In a heavy pot, over medium heat, cook  bacon until crisp.

4. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

5. Add some additional oil to the pan (pre cooked bacon wont render enough. You want about a 1 tablespoon of fat/oil left in the pot).

6. To the oil/fat, add onions and cook until slightly softened add red pepper flakes (4-7  minutes).

7. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 2 minutes.

8. Season with salt, pepper to taste.

9. Add  sweet  potatoes and carrots, stir to coat with the onion and oil, add stock.

10. Add parsley, fresh thyme (rosemary works as well.

11. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer until sweet  potatoes are tender, 20 to 30 minutes. A knife should slide in with out resistance when cooked.

12. Don’t drain!

13. Remove the thyme twigs

14. Using a “hand” immersion blender or transfer to a blender in batches and blend until smooth (you can do this by hand for a workout).

15. Stir in lime juice, butter (optional) and half the bacon.

16. Check for seasoning to taste

Serve warm topped with chopped  bacon.

For extra impact you can mix in shredded left over chicken, or top with a dollop of sour cream, fresh parsley or sliced green onions. For added sweetness and depth add honey or cinnamon.

Watch it on Youtube