Description
This African Sweet Potato Soup is a flavorful, comforting dish packed with vibrant spices, creamy peanut butter, and tender vegetables. Perfect for a hearty, nutritious meal, it combines sweet potatoes, parsnips, and peanuts with a subtle kick from chili flakes, creating a delicious balance of savory and slightly sweet flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 tsp cumin seeds or ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes (plus more to garnish)
- 2 tsp finely grated fresh ginger
- 1 tsp sugar
- 3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 large parsnip, peeled and cubed
- 1 red pepper, de-seeded and roughly chopped
- 400 g (14 oz) can chopped tomatoes
- 900 ml (4 cups) hot vegetable stock
- 2–3 tbsp smooth peanut butter
- Salt and pepper, to season
- Handful of finely chopped roasted peanuts (optional, for garnish)
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Cook the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add cumin seeds, chili flakes, and ginger, frying for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add the chopped onion, garlic, and sugar, stirring occasionally over medium-low heat until the onion softens (about 5 minutes).
- Add Vegetables: Stir in the cubed sweet potatoes, parsnip, and chopped red pepper. Cook for a couple of minutes to combine the flavors.
- Add Tomatoes and Stock: Pour in the chopped tomatoes and vegetable stock, bringing the soup to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
- Blend the Soup: Use a blender or immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth and creamy. Return the soup to the pot.
- Stir in Peanut Butter: Add the peanut butter to the soup and stir until fully incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls, and garnish with a sprinkle of chili flakes, roasted peanuts, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Notes
- Add More Spice: Increase the chili flakes or add a dash of hot sauce for more heat.
- Vegan Option: This recipe is already vegan, but you can swap the peanut butter with coconut milk for a creamier coconut flavor.
- Vegetable Variations: Add other root vegetables like carrots or turnips for added flavor depth.
