Satisfying, healthy soup bursting with autumn flavors of sweet potatoes and apple cider.
We’re suddenly launching into autumn here in California. We’ve swung from (really) hot sunny days to changing skies, and a bite in the air. It’s a subtle change, but one that ushers in the familiar changes, sights, and smells of fall. Autumn is my favorite season of the year, a pause after all the high energy go-go days of the summer, that starts to turn my thoughts back to home.
Autumn is a ramp up to Christmas and celebrates family and friends-that-are-like-family with Halloween and Thanksgiving as it’s ‘high’ holidays. A time to exhale, pick up the threads of the patterns of life, and gather at the dinner table again. Here are a few things I always associate with the autumn. What are some of yours?
Shorter days
Changing skies bringing new gray clouds
Crisp evenings with leftover warmth from the day
Huge glowing harvest moons close to the horizon
Hayrides sitting on bales of hay
Brightly colored maples and aspens
Raking leaves into big piles to jump into
Ironing red maple leaves between wax paper
Squash! Piles of pumpkins, butternut, kabocha, acorn, delicata waiting to be roasted
Back to school
Soft corduroys with heavy socks
Warm comfort food
Soup
Bonfires
The harvest
Football
Burgundy chrysanthemums
Tailgate parties
Cozy dinners with family and friends
And the color orange
This soup is one I started making last year when I started experimenting with my Apple Cider Syrup. It went through a number of versions until I finally landed on this one. By the time I had it to my liking, autumn was done, winter half over. So I’ve been keeping it in the back of my mind just waiting for autumn to roll around again. It’s super easy, and very healthy with all the sweet potatoes.
Cider Spiced Sweet Potato Soup
Ingredients
- 5 sweet potatoes about 4 1/2 cups once it's baked
- 6 tablespoons 3 ounces unsalted butter
- 1 red onion finely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 40 ounces vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons [url]Apple Cider Syrup ∞http://thewimpyvegetarian.com/2012/10/apple-cider-syrup/[/url]
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Bake the sweet potatoes in the microwave oven or via your favorite baking method. Allow to cool, peel and chop. Set aside.
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the red onion and thyme and sauté until the onions are very soft.
- Add the orange juice, and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add the veggie broth and bring back to a simmer. Add the potatoes and simmer for 10 minutes. Puree the soup using an immersible blender, food processor, or blender. If using a food processor or blender, return the soup to the pot and add the Apple Cider Syrup and salt to taste.
- Serve hot.
Pam @ The Meltaways says
what a delicious soup! I am loving the combination of flavors! Thank you so much for joining this week!
Renee says
I had a sweet potato soup at a restaurant and loved it. I have been looking for a recipe ever since. I’m definitely wanting to try this recipe.
Sandi McKenna says
Apple cider syrup!! Can’t wait to try it in this fabulous seasonal soup!!
Megan @Irun4Wine says
Wow, cider and sweet potatoes – I would have never thought to put these together in a soup. Sounds excellent. And your photos are beautiful!
Katie says
This soup is such a beautiful color, and it sounds delicious!
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen says
I don´t think I ever had sweet potato soup, but it sounds and looks fantastic! So does the apple syrup!
juanitascocina says
The color on that soup is so bright and gorgeous it’s almost glowing! YUM!
Anne @ Webicurean says
I’ll bet this soup is as amazing as it looks!
Bea says
Sweet potato as a soup – what a fantastic idea! It sounds, and looks just amazing!
Tara says
I love this list you included and your soup looks stunning!!
Soni says
Oh I just love the gorgeous color of this soup Susan!! I’m a big fan of sweet potatoes and can see myself enjoying a big bowl of this. 🙂
Susan says
This sounds fantastic and so creative between the cider vinegar and the sweet potatoes!
Carla says
I love the idea of cider spiced soup!!
Kristi Rimkus says
What a terrific idea to add apple cider to this soup. I bet the flavor is fantastic. I’m off to checkout your recipe for the apple cider syrup.
Sarah Reid, RHNC (@jo_jo_ba) says
Neat idea with the cider syrup!
Cindys Recipes says
I love sweet potato soup! Gotta try this!
Dara says
What a gorgeous soup! Love the use of cider, very seasonal.
Tora Estep says
What a wonderful soup. I love sweet potatoes (used to hate them when I was a kid, but I think they weren’t cooked well) and the combination with orange juice and cider sounds delightful.
Nicole @ The Daily Dish says
I’d have never thought of adding Cider to a sweet potato soup, but my goodness that sounds tasty!
This looks just delish!
Stephanie Zielinski says
What a fun and simple soup. Looks beautiful!
Kim Bee says
This is gorgeous. That first picture is so eye catching.
Lyn @LovelyPantry says
Yes! Absolutely perfect for fall! I really love the beautiful colour…so good! Lovely photographs, Susan! 🙂
chatteringkitchen says
The flavors must have multiplied due to the apple cider syrup. Must give this a try
familyspice says
What a gorgeous soup! I know what you mean about the weather. So glad a bit of chill is starting to show up here in San Diego.
diabeticFoodie says
We took my nephews to Vermont on vacation this summer and went to a cider mill. Nephew #1 fell in love with cider jelly and cider syrup. Can’t wait to make him some pumpkin pancakes with your cider syrup! You soup sounds like a wonderful combination of flavors. I’ll definitely be making that too!
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
I really enjoyed your ode to fall – I have a similar post on my blog from a few weeks ago. Fall is truly my favourite season too – what’s not to love? Especially delicious, comforting, hearty food like this beautiful soup. The flavour profile is totally up my alley – I love sweet potato and I bet the apple cider is a wonderful complement.
sunithi says
This soup looks so healthy, and yummy ! Love the addition of apple cider syrup. Simple & easy. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts says
The apple cider syrup sounds like a great addition to here – perfect for fall!
Family Foodie says
What an amazing recipe! Your photography is just gorgeous. Thank you for sharing during #SundaySupper.
Faye Leong says
Love all the ingredients you used for this soup, especially the apple cider and orange juice…healthy and yummy!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
This soup looks so lovely! This will certainly hit the spot for me since it’s so chilly out now! Thanks for sharing!
Audrey's Mamma says
Sweet potato is a new soup idea to me but I love it! We usually mash ours but the girls are finally starting to appreciate soup. This would go well with an apple grilled cheese sandwich!
Jamie (Mama.Mommy.Mom) says
The combo of apple and sweet potato flavors sounds amazing! The thyme gives the whole thing a nice, savory twist. Yum!
Jamie @ http://www.mamamommymom.com
Chelsea says
I love that you added cider to this soup. Yum!