Sweet Potato Soup — Dale Knows How To Host

Mom in a dress she made with Liberty fabric that she bought when we lived in England in the 70s. She made me my own Liberty dress (different pattern) when I was in college and had stopped growing. I still have it although I can’t say I’ve stopped … — Mom in a dress she made with Liberty fabric that she bought when we lived in England in the 70s. She made me my own Liberty dress (different pattern) when I was in college and had stopped growing. I still have it although I can’t say I’ve stopped growing! Mom is sitting on the floor of our library at 126 Mallette - my fave room in the house. Dark red with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves on all 4 walls. Yes, please.

Another photo of the Mallette St. library with ME as a sullen teenager, Mom, and our cat, Rosie. I don’t know what I’m so bummed about - that couch was the most comfortable sofa in the world! I always joked I wanted my ashes sprinkled on it when I… — Another photo of the Mallette St. library with ME as a sullen teenager, Mom, and our cat, Rosie. I don’t know what I’m so bummed about - that couch was the most comfortable sofa in the world! I always joked I wanted my ashes sprinkled on it when I died.

In the old days we had a oil furnace at the Mallette St. house and it was crazy expensive to heat the place. So, we barely did. Mom used to keep BIG THERMOMETERS around the house on various surfaces. She would pick them up and show Dad and say “JOHN! OUR KIDS ARE FREEZING!”. We had an assortment of space heaters in our commonly used rooms, some death traps / some a little more legit. The library had one of those tall ones with glowing red coils. We would occasionally eat in there with the TV (I remember watching either MacNeil Lehrer (snore) or Benny Hill (boobs!) - I swear I’m not making this up). I distinctly remember sitting on the floor with my face about 2 inches from the heater grill. I’m sure there was some sort of carcinogen exchange going on, but I was grateful to feel my nose. Mom and Dad eventually got central air and heat, but they waited until we went to college. Coincidence?!

Anyway, I’m pining for the coziness of the Mallette St. library on this chilly January day! I’m going to make some of Mom’s Sweet Potato Soup. It’s vegetarian and hearty with a really interesting and delicious flavor combo. Plus, I love the peanuts! Here’s the recipe:

SWEET POTATO SOUP

1 large sweet potato
Oil
1 onion diced
3 stalks of celery diced
2 leeks diced
4 cloves garlic minced

Spices:
2 t (or less) curry powder
1 t (or less) cumin
½ t (or less) cayenne powder
½ t cinnamon
coriander is optional
4 tomatoes roughly chopped or 2 cans chopped tomatoes
2/3 c salted, roasted peanuts (more or less as desired)
6 cups vegetable broth or 3 cans
½ c yogurt and 1/4 t allspice (optional)

Cook potato, scoop from skin and process in food processor until smooth (add broth if necessary)
In a little oil, saute onions, leeks, celery, and garlic until wilted
Add spices and cook 5 minutes
Add tomatoes and peanuts and cook 5 minutes
Add vegetable broth, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes
Add sweet potato to soup and cook 5 minutes
Serve with a dollop of plain yogurt and a tiny sprinkle of allspice (optional)

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