Smoky Sweet Potato and Bacon Soup
Indulge in this rich and creamy Smoky Sweet Potato and Bacon Soup that combines the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes with the savory depth of crispy bacon and spices. This delightful soup not only warms the soul but also tantalizes the taste buds with layers of flavor, including hints of garlic and the subtle kick from pickled jalapenos. Perfect as a cozy dinner or an impressive appetizer for gatherings, this soup can be made ahead of time and simply reheated before serving. Enjoy a bowl of this wholesome goodness garnished with a dollop of sour cream for an extra creaminess and a sprinkle of jalapenos for a burst of flavor.
N/A
Servings
150
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Bacon
2 slices (diced)
Onion
1 medium (chopped)
Leek
1 large (trimmed, washed and minced (both white and pale green parts))
Garlic
2-4 cloves (chopped)
Sweet Potatoes
2 (peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes)
Chicken Stock
2 1/2 cups (none)
Dried Thyme
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Ground Nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon (none)
Pickled Jalapeno Peppers
2-4 (minced)
Half-and-Half
1/4 cup (none)
Salt
to taste (none)
Sour Cream
1/2 cup (for garnish)
Instructions
1
In a heavy skillet, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crisp. Once crispy, remove the bacon from the skillet and set it aside for later use, leaving the drippings in the skillet.
2
Add the chopped onion, minced leek, and garlic to the skillet with the bacon drippings. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, about 10 to 15 minutes.
3
Introduce the cubed sweet potatoes to the skillet and stir well. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the sweet potatoes to absorb the flavors.
4
Pour in the chicken stock, then sprinkle in the dried thyme and ground nutmeg. Bring the mixture to a boil, then partially cover the skillet and reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow it to cook until the sweet potatoes are tender, approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
5
Carefully transfer the sweet potato mixture, along with most of the broth, to a blender. Reserve any remaining broth in a separate container. Puree the mixture until smooth and creamy.
6
Return the blended puree to the soup pot. Stir in the half-and-half, adjusting the soup's consistency with the reserved broth as desired. Season with salt to taste.
7
To serve, gently reheat the soup over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Garnish each bowl with a generous dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of minced pickled jalapenos just before serving.
Nutrition Information
7.5
Fat
17.5
Carbs
2.5
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Smoky Sweet Potato and Bacon Soup?
It is a rich and creamy soup that combines the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes with the savory depth of crispy bacon and spices.
What gives this soup its smoky flavor?
The smokiness comes from cooking diced bacon until crisp and using the resulting drippings to sauté the vegetables.
How should the bacon be prepared?
The bacon should be diced and cooked over medium heat in a heavy skillet until it is crisp.
Which vegetables are sautéed in the bacon drippings?
Chopped onion, minced leek, and garlic are cooked in the skillet with the bacon drippings.
What parts of the leek are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses both the white and pale green parts of the leek, which should be trimmed, washed, and minced.
How long should the onion, leek, and garlic be sautéed?
They should be cooked over low heat for about 10 to 15 minutes until softened and fragrant.
How should the sweet potatoes be cut?
The sweet potatoes should be peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes.
Why are the sweet potatoes cooked in the skillet before adding stock?
This allows the sweet potatoes to absorb the savory flavors of the bacon drippings and sautéed aromatics.
What type of stock is used in this soup?
The recipe calls for 2 1/2 cups of chicken stock as the liquid base.
What herbs and spices are included for seasoning?
The soup is seasoned with 1/4 teaspoon of dried thyme and 1/8 teaspoon of ground nutmeg.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
The mixture should simmer for approximately 20 to 30 minutes until the sweet potatoes are tender.
How is the soup made smooth?
The sweet potato mixture and broth are transferred to a blender and pureed until smooth and creamy.
Why should I reserve some of the broth during blending?
Reserving broth allows you to adjust the soup's final consistency to your preference after pureeing.
What dairy product is added to the pureed soup?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of half-and-half to achieve a creamy texture.
When should I add salt?
Salt should be added to taste after the half-and-half has been stirred into the soup.
How should the soup be reheated?
Reheat the soup gently over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent it from sticking to the pot.
What garnishes are recommended for this soup?
Garnish each bowl with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of minced pickled jalapenos.
Is this soup spicy?
It has a subtle kick provided by the minced pickled jalapenos used as a garnish.
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes, this soup can be made ahead and simply reheated before you are ready to serve.
How many calories are in a serving of this soup?
There are approximately 150 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 7.5 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in this soup?
There are 17.5 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content of the soup?
The soup provides 2.5 grams of protein per serving.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
There are 12 ingredients including the garnishes and seasonings.
What type of jalapenos are needed?
The recipe specifies 2-4 minced pickled jalapeno peppers.
How much garlic is used?
You can use between 2 and 4 chopped garlic cloves depending on your preference.
How much sour cream is used for garnish?
The recipe suggests 1/2 cup of sour cream for garnishing the servings.
Can this be served as an appetizer?
Yes, it is described as an impressive appetizer for gatherings as well as a cozy dinner.
Should the pan be covered during simmering?
The skillet should be partially covered while the sweet potatoes are simmering.
What is the primary texture of the finished dish?
The finished soup is rich, smooth, and creamy with highlights of crispy bacon and minced jalapenos.