Author Notes
I often make a version of this soup in the oven. It is a no brainer (pair a sweet potato or kabocha with a variety of onions and garlic), really easy (just peel, cut, anoint, roast and blend), very satisfying (depthy caramelized bits meld with earthy sweetness) and versatile (top with a flavorful drizzle of just about anything). I decided to try it on the grill which turned out great. I also wanted to make it a bit more substantial and settled on chorizo which pairs so nicely with sweet potatoes. By spreading the chorizo thin onto some thick slices of bread, I was able to toast the bread and get some nice char on the meat. The bonus was that the juices from the sausage then dripped into the bread. I chose a cilantro, lime, avocado drizzle and buttermilk, the tanginess pairing perfectly with the sweetness of the soup. I also have leftover chorizo which makes brilliant migas for breakfast.
The chorizo is best after it sits for a day but is plenty good day of. The veggies can be grilled ahead of time or even made into soup a day or two in advance and then everything pulled together at meal time. —savorthis
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Ingredients
- Sweet Potato Soup
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2 pounds
sweet potatoes, peeled, cut in 1/2" slices
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8 ounces
shallots, peeled
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6
garlic cloves with skin
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4 cups
broth
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olive oil
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1/2 cup
cilantro (leaves and stems), packed
-
1 tablespoon
lime juice
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1/2
avocado
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1/2 teaspoon
cider vinegar
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1/3 cup
buttermilk (plus extra for drizzling)
- Chorizo Toast
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1/2
cinnamon stick
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2
cloves
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1/4 teaspoon
peppercorns
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1/2 teaspoon
cumin seed
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2 ounces
dried chiles (I used a random assortment medium to spicy)
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1/2 teaspoon
oregano
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1/2 teaspoon
thyme
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1/4 teaspoon
chile flakes
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1 teaspoon
paprika
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1/4
onion, chopped
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2
garlic cloves, peeled, chopped
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1/4 cup
cider vinegar
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1 1/2 teaspoons
salt
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1 pound
ground pork (I use shoulder and belly if I grind my own)
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good loaf of bread
Directions
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Toast cinnamon, cloves, peppercorns and cumin in a dry skillet for a few minutes until fragrant. Put in spice grinder and let cool. Add dried chiles to pan and toast, turning a couple times until fragrant. Add water just to cover, bring to simmer, turn off heat, cover and steep until very soft. Save steeping liquid and put chiles, oregano, thyme, flakes, paprika, onion, garlic and vinegar in a blender and blend until very smooth. Mix with salt and pork until well incorporated. Chill. Rinse blender.
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Heat grill. Toss sweet potatoes, shallots and garlic with olive oil, salt and pepper. Wrap garlic in foil. Grill veggies over medium low heat until softened and slightly charred and until garlic is soft. Blend sweet potatoes, shallots, chile steeping liquid and broth until very smooth. Season to taste with salt. Put soup into a pot to heat on stove and rinse blender.
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Blend cilantro, lime, vinegar, buttermilk, grilled garlic and avocado with a pinch of salt. Add water or more buttermilk a little bit at a time until the consistency can be drizzled on soup.
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Heat grill and be sure grate is well oiled. Cut thick slices of bread. Spread chorizo on bread about the thickness you would cream cheese covering the entire surface. Grill the toasts bread side down over medium low heat with the grill lid down until the bread is browned. Carefully flip toasts and cook until chorizo is browned and cooked through.
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Ladle soup into bowls. Drizzle with cilantro sauce and buttermilk and serve with toasts.
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