Sweet Potato Soup with Chipotle

Today I have another flashback recipe for you. I originally wrote this in February 2011 as a guest post for the blog Cheap, Healthy, Good. It's one of my favorite posts (Go ahead. Just take a moment and read it.) and it's one of my favorite soups. The rich sweetness of the sweet potato is perfectly balanced with just enough smokey heat from the chipotle chile to warm your soul. It is absolutely February food.

This recipe makes a big enough batch to feed a crowd or pack for lunches for the week. Wouldn't a thermos of Sweet Potato Soup with Chipotle brighten up your brown bag?

Sweet Potato Soup with Chipotle
Adapted from Everyday Food
Original recipe here
Serves: 8

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
Salt and pepper
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
4 medium sweet potatoes (about 2 pounds total), peeled and chopped into 1" pieces
1 chipotle chile in adobo, chopped; plus 2 teaspoons adobo sauce (or to taste)
Approximately 7 cups* low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
Sour cream, for serving

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high. Add onion and season with salt and pepper. Cook onion, stirring occasionally, until softened and golden-brown around the edges, about 7 minutes. Add cumin and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Stir in sweet potatoes, chipotle chile, adobo sauce, and 6 cups chicken broth. Bring liquid to a boil. Reduce heat to low, partially cover, and allow soup to simmer until sweet potatoes are very tender, about 25 minutes.

Allow soup to cool slightly. Transfer soup to blender in batches, being cautious not to fill blender to the top, and, holding lid on tightly, puree until smooth. Return pureed soup to Dutch oven. (Alternatively, puree soup using an immersion blender.) If the soup is too thick, add remaining 1 cup chicken broth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. At medium-low temperature, heat soup until it is warmed through. Serve with a dollop of sour cream.

*Feel free to use more or less broth until the soup reaches your desired consistency.