Spicy Sweet Potato Kale Cannellini Soup

Name: Spicy Sweet Potato Kale Cannellini Soup
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 20 min
Yield: 12 servings (3 quarts).
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 medium onion, finely chopped; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 3 pounds sweet potatoes (about 5 medium), cubed; 2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and chopped; 1 teaspoon honey; 1 teaspoon rubbed sage; 3/4 to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) vegetable broth; 2 cans (15 ounces each) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained; 3 cups chopped fresh kale; 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream; Optional toppings: olive oil, giardiniera and shredded Parmesan cheese

This cross between a soup and a stew fits the meatless Monday bill quite nicely. It warms you right up, and satisfies without leaving you overstuffed.—Marybeth Mank, Mesquite, Texas

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 pounds sweet potatoes (about 5 medium), cubed
2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and chopped
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon rubbed sage
3/4 to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) vegetable broth
2 cans (15 ounces each) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
3 cups chopped fresh kale
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
Optional toppings: olive oil, giardiniera and shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

In a 6-qt. stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir 6-8 minutes or until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in sweet potatoes, apples, honey, seasonings and broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 25-30 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
Puree soup using an immersion blender. Or, cool soup slightly and puree in batches in a blender; return to pan. Add beans and kale; cook, uncovered, over medium heat 10-15 minutes or until kale is tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in cream. Serve with toppings as desired.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 250 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 615mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 7g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 1 lean meat, 1/2 fat.

Originally published as Spicy Sweet Potato Kale Cannellini Stoup in Country Woman February/March 2016