Spicy East African Green Pea Soup with Sweet Potato
This vibrant and hearty Spicy East African Green Pea Soup is a favorite in many East African homes. Inspired by a classic from the Sundays at Moosewood Cookbook, this recipe combines the sweetness of fresh sweet potatoes with the earthy flavor of green peas, and a delightful kick from finely chopped habanero peppers. The blend of warm spices like coriander, cumin, and cardamom adds depth to each spoonful, while the tomatoes provide a fresh, tangy note. Perfect for a cozy meal, this soup is nutritious, packed with flavors, and can easily be adjusted for spice levels. Serve it warm with crusty bread for a complete experience.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chopped onions
2 cups (fresh)
Minced garlic
1 teaspoon (fresh)
Vegetable oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
Grated fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon (fresh)
Salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
Ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Habanero pepper, finely chopped
1 small (fresh)
Ground coriander
1 teaspoon (spice)
Ground cumin
1 teaspoon (spice)
Ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon (spice)
Ground clove
1 dash (no more than 1/8 tsp) (spice)
Turmeric
1/4 teaspoon (spice)
Chopped tomatoes
2 (fresh)
Diced sweet potato
1 (about 2 cups) (fresh)
Water
3 1/2 cups (for soup)
Frozen green peas, thawed
1 lb (for soup)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté gently, covered, for 5 to 10 minutes, or until translucent. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
2
Add the minced garlic and continue sautéing for an additional minute until fragrant.
3
Stir in the grated ginger, salt, and all the spices: ground black pepper, chopped habanero pepper, ground coriander, ground cumin, ground cardamom, ground clove, and turmeric. Sauté for 2 minutes, stirring often to toast the spices.
4
Add the chopped tomatoes and diced sweet potato to the pot, mixing well to combine with the other ingredients.
5
Pour in 1 1/2 cups of water and stir thoroughly. Bring the mixture to a boil.
6
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
7
After 5 minutes, add half of the thawed green peas and continue to simmer for another 10 minutes, covered, or until the sweet potato is tender.
8
Remove the pot from heat and stir in the remaining 2 cups of water to thin the soup as desired.
9
Carefully purée the soup in batches using a blender or food processor until completely smooth.
10
Return the soup to the pot, add the remaining peas, and gently reheat over low heat. Adjust seasoning if necessary before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy East African Green Pea Soup with Sweet Potato?
It is a vibrant and hearty soup that combines the sweetness of sweet potatoes with the earthy flavor of green peas and a spicy kick from habanero peppers.
Is this soup recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian and can also be considered a vegan option.
How spicy is this green pea soup?
The soup has a significant kick due to the inclusion of a small, finely chopped habanero pepper, though the spice level can be adjusted.
What are the main spices used in this recipe?
The soup features a blend of coriander, cumin, cardamom, cloves, turmeric, and black pepper.
How much sweet potato is required?
You will need one sweet potato, which should yield approximately 2 cups once diced.
What type of peas should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of frozen green peas that have been thawed.
How do I prepare the ginger for this soup?
The recipe requires 1/2 teaspoon of grated fresh ginger.
How long should I sauté the onions?
Sauté the chopped onions gently for 5 to 10 minutes until they are translucent.
What kind of oil is used for sautéing?
One tablespoon of vegetable oil is used to sauté the base ingredients.
When should the garlic be added?
Add the minced garlic after the onions are translucent and sauté for about one minute until fragrant.
How long should the spices be toasted?
Once the spices are added, they should be sautéed for 2 minutes to toast them, stirring frequently.
Can I use canned tomatoes for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for 2 fresh chopped tomatoes to provide a tangy note.
How much water is needed for the soup?
A total of 3 1/2 cups of water is used: 1 1/2 cups for boiling and 2 cups added later to thin the soup.
Why are the peas added at different times?
Half of the peas are simmered and pureed into the base, while the remaining peas are added at the end to provide texture.
How do I make the soup smooth?
Purée the soup in batches using a blender or food processor after the sweet potatoes are tender.
What is the source of inspiration for this soup?
This recipe is inspired by a classic from the Sundays at Moosewood Cookbook.
How many onions are needed?
The recipe requires 2 cups of chopped onions.
What is the recommended serving suggestion?
Serve the soup warm with crusty bread for a complete meal experience.
How much ground clove is required?
Only a dash is needed, which should be no more than 1/8 of a teaspoon.
What type of heat is used for simmering?
Once the mixture boils, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot to simmer.
Is the soup healthy?
Yes, it is described as nutritious, packed with flavors, and featuring healthy ingredients like sweet potatoes and peas.
How much turmeric is in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric.
Can I adjust the salt and pepper?
Yes, the recipe suggests adding salt and black pepper to taste and adjusting seasoning before serving.
How long does the final reheating take?
The soup should be gently reheated over low heat once the remaining peas and pureed base are recombined.
What is the texture of the finished soup?
The soup has a smooth, creamy base from the pureed sweet potato and peas, with some whole peas for texture.
Is fresh habanero better than dried?
The recipe specifies one small fresh habanero pepper for the best flavor and heat.
How much garlic is used?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of minced fresh garlic.
Should the pot be covered while cooking?
Yes, the pot should be covered while sautéing onions and while simmering the sweet potatoes and peas.
How many servings does this make?
While the specific serving count isn't listed, the recipe uses a substantial 1 lb of peas and 3 1/2 cups of water.
Can I use an immersion blender?
Yes, an immersion blender can be used directly in the pot as an alternative to a standard blender or food processor.