Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup

• FAST
• MAKE-AHEAD

Ingredients

1. 4 medium carrots, cut into 2-inch chunks
2. 1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
3. 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4. 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
5. 1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste
6. 6 1/2 cups hot chicken stock or canned low-sodium broth
7. Salt and freshly ground white pepper
8. 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
9. 2 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
10. Garlic croutons, for serving

1. In a food processor fitted with a metal blade, pulse the carrots and sweet potatoes until finely chopped.
2. Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium saucepan. Add the onion, cover and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add the carrots and sweet potatoes, cover and cook, stirring once, until the vegetables are just beginning to soften, about 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste and 5 cups of the hot stock and bring to a boil. Cover partially and cook over moderate heat until the vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.
3. In a blender, puree the soup in batches until smooth. Return to the sauce-pan, season with salt and white pepper and stir in the remaining 1 1/2 cups of hot stock and the lemon juice. Swirl in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the parsley and serve with croutons.