purple sweet potato soup – coconut, red chile, toasted cumin
Color, color, color. This is one intensely hued soup. It is warm and comforting because it is soup, after all. But it is also exotic, spicy, jazzy. Made from purple-fleshed sweet potatoes from the farmers’ market. But what if one was to close the eyes? No “Taste With The Eyes” allowed. Would this soup still hit the mark? Flavor, texture, balance, intrigue…yes, yes, yes.
purple sweet potato soup recipe
- 2 shallots, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1″ knob ginger, minced
- 1/2 t. toasted cumin seed, roughly ground with mortar and pestle, divided
- 1 red jalapeño, chopped, divided
In a medium soup pot, sauté shallot in olive oil until soft. Add ginger, jalapeño, cumin, and garlic. Reserve a small amount of jalapeño and cumin seed for garnish. Sauté for another minute or so.
- 2 purple-fleshed sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 4 c. vegetable broth
- 2 T. brown sugar
Add broth, potatoes and sugar to the pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the potatoes are soft.
- juice from 1/2 lime
- 1/2 c. coconut milk, divided
- sea salt
Remove pot from heat. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup. Add lime juice, coconut milk, and salt to taste. Reserve a small amount of coconut milk for garnish. Interestingly, the lime juice changes the color of the soup from a deeper purple to a more reddish purple.
a purple soup needs a flashy garnish
- coconut milk
- red jalapeño
- toasted cumin seed
- mint
Place a small amount of cocount milk in a squeeze bottle with a small tip to dot the soup. The soup and the coconut milk should be of a similar density. If the soup is too thick, the coconut dots will roll off the top. Oops.
Oops, a Lesson in Polka Dots
I returned the soup to the pot, added a bit more broth, and blended again with the immersion blender to get a smoother, thinner consistency. Not only did this make the coconut milk dots and soup compatible, it made the soup much more elegant. A good lesson, indeed. Ladle soup into warm bowls and garnish with jalapeño, cumin seed, and mint.
now the soup is ready for the coconut dots
Extending another heart-felt thank you to my brother and sister-in-law for this graceful white porcelain bowl designed by Martin Kastner. He is the creator of the breathtaking custom serviceware used at Grant Achatz’s Alinea in Chicago.
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21 comments • Filed in: Meatless
I bought purple sweet potatoes last week just for making soup. Then I found this recipe. I made it today and it is absolutely delicious!!
I’m thrilled Darcie – thanks for letting me know!
LL
Oh my! this is beautious! I have never seen purple sweet potatoes, but I made purple cauliflower soup last year………..this is WOW.
I love purple sweet potatoes (okinawan sweet potatoes) and used for pie, but never used for cooking, especially soup! Such a beautiful soup…. It’s so unique and eye catching. I love your unique shape soup bowl too!
A work of art! GREG
What an incredibly gorgeous color! Wow! The garnishes are perfect!
What a gorgeous soup!! Great use of purple sweet potato, it is so arresting! I love all the flavors here.
Wow that looks amazing! I just found your site and what a treat for my eyes to see that beautiful soup pop up! And I’m loving the dots with the coconut milk
Thanks for the inspiration!
Purple sweet potatoes???? …..where have those been all my life? Must find…must try this!! Thanks Lori.
i love it!
Wow, that really is an amazing color! I love all the ingredients, and can only imagine how intense this soup tastes
Wonderful creation!
WOW!!! This is gorgeous! Another dish I’d love to try.
This is beautiful. I can see it as a first dish for an elegant dinner party…but, then again, all dinners in your home are ‘elegant’!
I’m intrigued by the spices and flavors you chose to accompany the potato which makes it a bit mysterious and exotic. Well done, LL!
Fresh and beautiful, and I’m sure it tastes amazing too!
This is stunning! I suspect – based on the ingredients – that it’d be just as stunning to your tastebuds, but I’d rather keep my eyes open!
LL – this is sumptuous! The deep purple just lifts my mood. The ingredients make me debate the wisdom of leaving the house in the freezing rain to get them.
Amazing colors and I bet it taste delicious too. I would expect something like this out of the French Laundry. Nicely done, Lori Lynn.
Thanks Chef – you made my day
LL
I can have this beautiful soup in dessert. buzzed you before writing comment.
Visually stunning and sounds wonderful.
This is so striking, LL. Close the eyes on this? Never!