Sweet Potato, Chipotle and Apple Soup

• Recipe by Sue Torres

This silky soup gets its smoky sweetness from pureed chipotle peppers, a Mexican staple, and the surprising addition of apples. "This is real comfort food for me," Sue Torres says. "I love that it’s creamy without containing any cream."

Ingredients

1. 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus 1 cup for frying
2. 1/2 medium white onion, finely chopped
3. 2 garlic cloves, smashed
4. 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger
5. 2 Gala apples—peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped
6. 1 celery rib, thinly sliced crosswise
7. 1 3/4 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
8. 1 quart chicken stock or low-sodium broth
9. 3 cups water
10. 1 small canned chipotle in adobo sauce, seeded and minced
11. Salt and freshly ground white pepper
12. 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
13. 1/2 teaspoon sugar
14. 3 yellow corn tortillas, cut into 1/2-inch strips

Directions

1. In a medium soup pot, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil until shimmering. Add the onion, garlic and ginger and cook over low heat, stirring, until softened, about 7 minutes. Add the apples and celery and cook for 5 minutes. Add the sweet potatoes and cook for 5 minutes. Add the chicken stock and water and bring to a boil. Cover partially and simmer over low heat until the fruit and vegetables are very tender, about 45 minutes. Stir in the chipotle.
2. Working in batches, puree the soup in a blender until smooth. Season with salt and white pepper and return to the pot.
3. In a small bowl, mix the cinnamon and sugar with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Heat the remaining 1 cup of oil in a medium skillet. Add the tortilla strips and fry over high heat, stirring, until crisp and golden, about 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Serve the soup in shallow bowls and garnish with the fried tortilla strips.

Make Ahead

The soup can be refrigerated for up to 1 week. The tortilla strips can be stored at room temperature for 2 days.