Sweet Potato and Kale Soup

Perfect dinner for a chilly fall day. This warming and healthy soup is great with some hearty wheat bread and a side salad.

Ingredients:
2 Tsp olive oil
2 onions, diced
3 cloves crushed garlic
2 large sweet potatoes, baked and skinned. (You can also just peel and cube the sweet potatoes, pre-baking is not crucial)
1 bunch lacinato kale trimmed and chopped (any kale works)
4 cups broth (I use veggie broth, but chicken or beef stock works too)
2 Tsp tamari
2 Tsp crushed rosemary
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup cheese of choice, to garnish
3 Tbsp parsley, chopped, to garnish
Optional: Can of white beans, drained and rinsed well

**If you're baking the sweet potatoes, you can do this ahead of time.**
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Pierce the potatoes with a fork many times. Wrap each potato in tin foil. Place the potatoes in the oven and bake for 1 hour, or until tender. Remove from the oven and let set until cool. Open the foil wrapping and peel skins off potatoes. Store in a container in the refrigerator until you are ready to make the soup!

Method:
Heat the oil in a soup pot over medium heat, add the onions and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes. Add the kale and the sweet potatoes. Stir well and add broth. Bring to a boil. 

If you're using pre-baked potatoes your soup will be creamier like the photo on the left below. Chopped, unbaked potatoes will give the soup a chunky consistency like the photo on the right below. Either option is delicious. If you're opting for beans, add those now!

Once you bring the soup to a boil, let cook for 15-20 minutes. Add the tamari, rosemary, salt and pepper. Reduce heat and cook 15 more minutes. Taste and add more salt or pepper if needed. Sometimes I will add red pepper flakes too.

​Serve in soup bowls garnished with parsley and cheese. I like parm or cheddar.