Sweet-Potato Soup With Nutmeg and Maple Syrup

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 2 celery ribs, stalks and leaves chopped separately
• 1 medium leek, sliced (WHITE AND PALE GREEN PARTS ONLY)
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 5 cups sweet potatoes, peeled, chopped
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 cups half-and-half
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

Directions

1. 1

   Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium-high heat.

2. 2

   Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes.

3. 3

   Add chopped celery stalks and leeks and sauté until onion is translucent for about five minutes.

4. 4

   Add garlic and sauté for 2 minutes.

5. 5

   Add potatoes, chicken stock, cinnamon and nutmeg; bring to boil.

6. 6

   Reduce heat and simmer uncovered until potatoes are tender for about 20 minutes.

7. 7

   Remove cinnamon stick and discard.

8. 8

   Working in batches, puree soup in blender until smooth.

9. 9

   Return soup to pot.

10. 10

    Add half and half and maple syrup and stir over medium-low heat to heat soup through.

11. 11

    Season soup to taste with salt and pepper.

12. 12

    You can garnish the soup with celery leaves.