It’s a good thing I can’t reach the bottom of my Vitamix with my tongue…
…because I would have sliced it open trying to lap up the remnants of this soup.
Sweet potato with onion-y leek and rich garlic.  Add a little mid-eastern spice blend and some nutritional yeast.  Perfection.  Who cares if it is 85 degrees outside!
The spice lend I used is called ras hanout. Â You can find the recipe here with my Babaganoush Soup post. Â The base is cumin, ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon. Â What’s not to love?
I was inspired to make this when I saw a few Potato-Leek Soup recipes pop up around the web. Â The problem with those is that I don’t like white potatoes. Â Only the orange for me!
I questioned how the sweet potato would be with the leek, but it actually works well with the mild onion.  Once sautéed, both the leek and the garlic flavors develop a richness that is perfect for a roasted sweet potato soup!
Sweet Potato Leek Soup
- 1 C vegetable stock (I used low sodium)
- 1 small sweet potato, pre-baked
- 1 leek, sliced about 1/4 in thin
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 T nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp ras hanout spice mix
- Cilantro (optional, to garnish)
In a medium-sized pan (or pot if not using Vitamix), saute leeks with a bit of water, oil, and/or vinegar (basically, you’re just adding some liquid so they don’t dry out and burn) over medium heat just until tender (~7-8 mins).  Add garlic and saute ~2 mins more until golden and fragrant.
If using a Vitamix: Place all ingredients in Vitamix and blend on high until hot (6-7 mins).
If using stove top: Mash sweet potato (doesn’t have to be perfect – a rough mash with a fork works).  Combine all ingredients in the pot and stir to combine.  Let the mixture come to a boil for 10-15 minutes to allow flavors to combine.  Remove from heat.  Pour into a blender or use an immersion blender to mix until smooth.
Optional: Garnish with cilantro and freshly ground pepper.
Makes 1 large or 2 small servings.
***
One more day until ARGENTINA!!!  P.S. That giant bag of spinach is almost gone.
Do you eat soup in the summer?
What is your favorite airplane snack? Â I need some trip-packing inspiration!
Julia {The Roasted Root} says
It got super cold and snowy where I live today, so I was craving a comforting soup like this one! I ended up making a veggie chili but next time I need a warm bowl of soup, I’m following your recipe! Looks awesome!
Laura says
Whaaat? Where do you live?
Terra says
You should find a way to lick the vitamix, because this seriously sounds awesome! I love the color, so vibrant and cheerful:-) Hugs, Terra
Laura says
It’s all fun and game until you lose a tongue. 😉
janet @ the taste space says
haha, I have ruined some very good spatula by trying to get the last drop out of my vitamix.. better than than my tongue, for sure! I love how sweet potato lends so well to soups in the vitamix. 🙂
Laura says
I have ruined 2 of the 3 they gave me! LOL!
Lee says
Have a great trip! I brought Luna bars for the plane, boring but they work in a pinch. Ooh, you get to go to the new terminal in the airport!
Laura says
That new terminal is almost as exciting to me as going to BA… is that sick, or what?
Tessa @ Amazing Asset says
In my opinion, soup is pretty dang good at any temperature… I mean temperature outside 🙂 Well unless it’s above like 88, then it might be unpleasant haha
But this soup sounds sooo so good! The color is gorgeous too, I think I am going to try making this today!
Laura says
Thank you! Please let me know how you like it if you do try it! 🙂
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
Yum! This soup sounds so good. I love the combo of leeks and sweet potatoes. I’ll be giving this a try.
Meg says
Ahhhh this is beautiful!!!! I love pureed soups! Definitely my favourite kind! 😀
sarah @ sarah learns says
this recipe looks delicious as per usual from you! 🙂
i totally sliced my tongue last week after making cinnamon almond butter in the food processor. those blades are sharp – ouch! 🙂
Laura says
Awww… thanks Sarah! Hope your tongue is all better. That butter sounds worth it. 🙂
Jemma says
This looks so creamy and tasty!
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat says
Beautiful soup photos! Have an amazing time! <3
Parita @ myinnershakti says
Sweet potatoes are pretty much the best things ever, so I love learning new ways to cook with them. Thanks! This kind of reminds me of an Indian “soup” my mom makes but I think she uses white potatoes. Great spice combo!!
And when do you get back from Argentina?? I was hoping we could meet up one of these days!
Laura says
I get back on the 14th. When are you here??
RavieNomNoms says
This look totally yummy! Nice work! I bet the flavors of the leek and sweet potato are just delicious in this 🙂
Alexandra says
YUM!! Sweet potatoes make my heart sing, I don’t think I could ever get sick of ’em haha 😉 Thanks for sharing!
Laura says
Same here! Never enough orange. 🙂
Kiri W. says
I am back! Sort of.
But wow, what a gorgeous looking soup. I’d love to try this combo, because I’ve only had white potatoes with leek.
And I eat soup at all times – in China, where it was ridiculously hot, it was almost like hot soup helped me regulate my body temperature. Odd, but true.
Laura says
Glad to have you back!! 🙂
Catalina @ Cake with Love says
Sweet potatoes, leeks and garlic are my all time favorites, and all combined in this soup it makes the perfect comform food!!
Peter Block says
this looks really good. love the photography too.
Laura says
Thank you! good ‘ol Instagram. 🙂
Brittany @ twosaucysisters says
Wow this sounds delicious! Personally, if the soup has sweet potatoes, I’ll pretty much eat it any time of the year, but I’ve also been experimenting with a few gazpacho recipes for the warmer weather. As for airplane snacks, I always make myself a baggie of trail mix whenever I travel, be it land or air. I find it really satiating so I don’t feel hungry the whole time I’m travelling 🙂
Laura says
I love gazpacho! I wonder if you could put sweet potato in that…
Thanks for the idea – I made trail mix! 🙂
Carol @ Lucky Zucca says
Yummy!! I am not adverse to soup in the summer. Especially not one this colorful and seasonal! I just bought some leeks and have really enjoyed them. If only I had a vitamix to make this in….
My favorite airplane snack is trail mix. Sweet & salty cravings satisfied, it doesn’t go bad quickly and it is filling! Ahhhh I am so excited for you !!! 🙂
Laura says
You need to get one! It’s worth every penny. 🙂
Trail mix – done! Perfect idea.
Suzi says
Another beauty. I like these combination of flavors. Going to have to check out the ras hanout spice mix. Bon voyage- have a safe and fun filled vacation. Aren’t you the lucky one.
Laura says
Thanks, Suzi! You’ll love the mix – it’s full of flavor.
Choc Chip Uru says
I understand why this soup had you licking clean – it looks fantastic and warming and the ingredients are wonderful! 😀
Cheers
CCU
Laura says
We make a potato-leek soup, too– I’ll have to try it with sweet potatoes. And I love ras hanout, I’ve only used it in a few recipes, but I love the Indian? Moraccan? flavors.
Laura says
I’m not sure exactly the origination, but somewhere over there. I love the hint of cinnamon – it gives it a great depth!
Alyssa (pb and oatmeal) says
Sounds and looks delicious!
Stacy @ Stacy Eats says
Yum! Although it’s warm out, it was a good rainy day for soup. 🙂
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
This soup looks wonderful! Sometimes I like to pretend it’s cold out when we have our summer downpours here in FL.
Laura says
That’s pretty much what we were doing here today! Dreary… and humid. Almost perfect for soup. 🙂
natasha@aperfectpantry says
Nice healthy choice to warm up this winter! Perfect colour..can’t wait to try this!
Holly says
OMG. This looks so good. Once leeks and sweet potatoes come back to the market, I’m totally making this. That sweet potato hummus looks fantastic too. I never thought of combining sweet potatoes with tahini.
Laura says
Thank you!! Sweet potatoes are awesome with tahini… any nutty sauce actually. I love to bake them and eat with almond or peanut butter!
Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning says
You say you don’t like white taters.. but I bet you would LOVE Japanese sweet potatoes! (White flesh/purple skin) They are freaking awesome.
I will most definitely be making this soup- in my Vitamix!!
Laura says
I do love those! Have you seen Alanya’s recipe for a souffle using them? It’s incredible! http://thymebombe.com/2012/02/08/japanese-sweet-potato-casserole/
Grubarazzi says
I’m definitely making this ASAP! Looks so delicious.
alyce culinary thymes says
Love these flavors together!
Mei-i @ gastronomic nomad says
Agreed! Soup is good ALL year round. YUM! This looks so good. I might have had a cut finger or two with this soup. Congrats on top 9!!
Laura says
Thank you so much! I’m notorious for cooking injuries. 🙂
Baker Street says
WOW! That’s a gorgeous bowl of soup! Love the color and presentation. Looks all so inviting. 🙂
Gabriela says
Looks sooooo good. We love sweet potato and leeks- we will definitely try this recipe!
Laura says
Thank you so much! Please let me know how you like it if you do try it. 🙂