Beggin' For Mercy - African Sweet Potato and Peanut Soup

After 19 long days of fighting off sinus infections, croup, laryngitis, and bronchitis in my infirmary of a household, I’m ready to crawl out of the germ laden abyss and rejoin the land of the living. Lordy, I haven’t been that sick in a couple decades. I’m just now getting my voice back, so depending on your point of view, I either sound froggy or like an alluring, soulful jazz singer. I’m goin’ for the latter one.

After endless days of ingesting healing chicken broth and rice soup, my taste buds were begging for mercy. Time to test my new recipe for African Sweet Potato and Peanut Soup! It’s gluten free and vegetarian, too. Join me now, won’t you, for a new taste sensation that will have you begging for mercy – in a good way!

African Sweet Potato and Peanut Soup

1 tablespoon canola oil
1 onion – chopped
2 cloves garlic – minced
1 teaspoon minced ginger
1 large carrot – small diced
1 large sweet potato – small diced
¼ cup roasted red pepper – diced (optional)
1 can diced tomatoes – juice and all
2 14 oz cans veggie broth
¼ cup V-8 juice
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoons coriander
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ cup toasted peanuts, chopped
2 Tablespoons peanut butter

Garnishes: Chopped peanuts, cilantro, green onion, chopped pepper.

In a dutch oven, over med high heat,saute onion in the oil until it starts to brown, not quite 10 minutes. Add garlic and ginger, and stir for not quite one minute.Stir in carrot and sweet potato. Let sauté for a couple minutes, then add the roasted peppers and tomatoes. All at once, add the broth, juice, cumin, coriander, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. In a small sauté pan, quickly toast the peanuts over medium heat. Let cool and then chop.I usually put them in a zippered bag and give several good whacks with my meat mallet. Add to the soup, and either puree the soup with an immersion blender or ladle it carefully into a blender or food processor.I used my immersion blender. Leave some texture to the mixture.
Stir in the peanut butter, which will melt into the soup rather quickly. Just look at that amazing color!
>Now for a quick little taste. Mmmmmm!
Ladle into soup bowls and garnish as you desire. Serve. Feast with your eyes. Taste. Make yummy noises. Sing “Beggin You For Mercy” like Duffy. Yeah, yeah, yeah.