Roasted Apple and Sweet Potato Soup with Spiced Walnuts

A harmonious blend of sweet apples, creamy sweet potatoes, savoury spices and hot chillies, this velvety soup is a perfect lunch option on a cold, wintry day. So wholesome is this soup it's sure to maintain stamina levels for the remainder of the workday

Ingredients 10 cups (2.5 L) sweet potatoes (about 5 to 6 medium-sized potatoes) peeled and cubed

3 cups (750 mL) apples (try Spartan, Empire or Russet), peeled, cored and quartered

1/2 tsp (2 mL) ground cinnamon

1 long, red chilli pepper, left whole but with ends removed

5 tbsp (75 mL) vegetable or canola oil

1 tbsp (15 mL) salt

2 tsp (10 mL) freshly ground black pepper

2 tbsp (30 mL) unsalted butter

2 cups (500 mL) onions, peeled and chopped

3 sprigs fresh thyme

3 cups (750 mL) milk

4-1/2 cups (1.125 L) cold water

2 tsp (10 mL) cider vinegar

Spiced Walnuts

1 tbsp (15 mL) unsalted butter

2 sprigs fresh thyme

1/4 tsp (1 mL) fresh cinnamon

1/4 tsp (1 mL) cayenne pepper

1 cup (250 mL) walnut halved

1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt

1/4 tsp (1 mL) freshly ground black pepper

Directions Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

In a large bowl, add sweet potatoes, apples, cinnamon, chilli pepper and oil. Season with salt and pepper and stir until well combined. Line baking sheet with parchment or foil. Spread potato and apple mixture evenly on baking sheet and place in preheated oven. Roast for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally, until apples and sweet potatoes are golden and tender.

In a large pot over medium-high heat, add butter and melt completely. Add chopped onions and thyme and sauté for 5 to 6 minutes or until onions are tender and lightly golden. Add roasted potato and apple mixture milk and water. Decrease heat to medium and let simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.

Once simmered, remove the chilli and thyme sprigs and discard. Purée soup with a blender or hand blender until very smooth. Just before serving stir in cider vinegar and season with salt and pepper.

For the spiced walnuts: While the soup is simmering, heat a small frying pan over medium heat, add 1 tbsp (15 mL) of butter and let melt completely. Add thyme sprigs, cinnamon, cayenne, walnuts, salt and pepper. Continue to sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently until walnuts are golden and fragrant.

Serve soup piping hot with a garnish of warm, spiced walnuts.

Nutritional information Per serving (makes 12 servings)

290 calories

6 g protein

16 g fat (4 g saturated fat)

34 g carbohydrates

5 g fibre

10 mg cholesterol

780 mg sodium

%RDI:

Iron 6%

Calcium 15%