Curried Sweet Potato and Cauliflower Soup

Sweet potato and cauliflower may seem like unusual combination but the two vegetables complement each other resulting in a smoothy and creamy soup. You can vary the spiciness of the soup by adding more or less chili and spices. I prepared this soup for my toddler by simply eliminating the chili and a little of the coriander.

4 Portions

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Pumpkin Soup:
1 tbsp. olive or peanut oil
1 medium onion, finely sliced
1-2 garlic cloves crushed
1/2 tsp ground chili
1 tbsp ginger, peeled and finely chopped
1 tbsp cumin powder
1 tbsp coriander powder
3 cardamom pods
400g orange sweet potato, peeled and chopped into pieces
400g cauliflower, trimmed and broken up into florets
2 tbsp coriander finely chopped
1 litre vegetable or water
1 cinnamon stick
Maldon salt and freshly ground pepper
4 tbsp coriander, finely chopped
100ml double cream (optional)

To Serve:
coriander leaves
1 red chilli cut into rings (optional)
naan bread (shop bought) grilled and sliced into serving wedges or slices of warm baguette

Method
Sweet Potato and Cauliflower Soup: Place the oil in a large saucepan over a moderate heat. Place the onions in the saucepan and allow them to sweat until tender and transparent. Stir in the garlic, ginger, ground chilli, cumin powder, ground coriander and cardamom pods. Cook for a few minutes until aromatic. Stir in the sweet potato and cauliflower, so as to coat with the spices. Add the water or vegetable stock, and cinnamon stick to the pan. Bring the soup to the boil and then reduce to a simmer. Leave the soup to simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring at intervals so that the bottom doesn't burn. If the liquid reduces too much, add a little more stock or water.

When the vegetable are soft, remove the soup from the heat and allow it to cool slightly. When cooled remove the cinnamon stick and cardamom pods. Puree the soup in batches in a liquidiser or food processor. Return the soup to a saucepan over a moderate heat and adjust its consistency so it pours from a spoon by adding stock or water if necessary. When the soup is hot, season with a little salt and pepper to taste and stir in the cream (optional) and chopped coriander Keep the soup hot until ready to serve.

To Serve: Distribute the soup among for bowls Drizzle the cream and pumpkin oil around the plate. Garnish with coriander leaves and chilli. Serve hot with slices of warm naan bread or baguette.

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