Spicy Thai Peanut Coconut Sweet Potato Soup (phew!)

My first recipe post is going to be about a soup - which is ironic, because I rarely make soup. 

I was inspired by browsing pinterest (obsessed), and stumbled upon these lovely blog sites with recipes, and wanted to adapt and make my own version.... thanks to these lovely bloggers for the inspiration, yay! :)

Foodess  
LunchBoxBunch 

So, I put it on the menu this week and bought what didn't have in the pantry. My hubby did the grocery shopping last weekend, and bought me like 7 jalapeno peppers.... anyway. 

I really like to research recipes and combine what I like. I was apprehensive, I hadn't made soup in ages (hardly ever...) and I don't work with the Thai flavor profile often either! But what the heck, I figured we had leftover lasagna if it failed miserably. 

It didn't. It rocked. :) 

Hearty, healthy, spicy, yet refreshing! Mmm!!!

Spicy Thai Peanut Coconut Sweet Potato Soup:

Ingredients: 
1 turn of olive oil 
1 Sweet Potato (pretty big)
1 jalapeno (take seeds out if you aren't into spice) 
3 cups chicken or beef stock (I used a beef bouillon and water, mixed)
1 tsp cumin (more if you want)
1 tsp ground ginger (or fresh, more if you want!)
1 tsp ground coriander (or more) 
1 medium onion, diced
3 tsp curry powder (or a paste if you like) 
3 cloves garlic, minced (love my garlic press, obsessed)
1 can coconut milk
2 tblsp of peanut butter
Lime juice 
Salt to taste (always taste and check!!)
Lotsa cilantro, to put in and to garnish
Dollop of greek yogurt to garnich
Sliced avocado to garnish 

How I made it:

First, I heated up medium saucepan over medium heat or so. Chopped up the onions and tossed them in. Let them sizzle for a few minutes, then threw in the minced garlic. Then, I chopped up the jalapeno pepper. I kept most of the seeds, hubby and I like spicy. Threw that in too. Sautee it around, let it start getting yummy smelling (careful of that jalapeno cooking, yikes). Then, I put in the curry powder and stirred it all around. Pause and enjoy how impressive your kitchen smells. (This is a good time for the hubby to walk in and be all super duper in awe of your skills). 

Next, I diced up the sweet potato. I leave the skins on cuz I'm lazy, but I've also heard that's good for you or something. I put the sweet potato in the pot with the coconut milk and the stock, covered the pot, and turned the heat down a bit. Let it simmer until the sweet potatoes are all cooked through. It took me about half a House Hunters episode or so. I check mine with a fork. 

Okay, so then came the scary part... the blender. I blended the soup in batches (I feel so BA when I blend hot stuff like they do on Chopped and Iron Chef and stuff), put it back in the pot. Once the scary part is over, its all about adding the fun stuff. Add all the seasonings, peanut butter, cilantro, lime juice, etc. I always taste, adjust, reseason, taste, etc, until I'm satisfied. Hubby was home early today so he got to taste and give his opinion too.  I garnished with slice avocado, mooooore cilantro (yuuuummmmm), and a dollop of Greek yogurt (freakin LOVE Greek yogurt....anyhoo). 

Ta da!!!!!

Enjoy! Hubby loved it, and I was pretty proud of myself. I think its kinda healthy, so extra bonus points I suppose.... 

Anyone else have some awesome soup recipes?? I think this has boosted my soup confidence :)