Roasted Sweet Potato Soup

No, dear reader, your eyes do not deceive you. I made another orange soup. But while my carrot soup awakened the palate with a good hit of spice, this sweet potato soup melts in the mouth like butter. Buttah . . . . This soup is so rich and creamy that it verges on a puree, but the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cayenne keep things interesting. (Tip: if you hate sweet potato and/or pumpkin pie, this soup is not for you.) I encourage you to thin out the soup with additional liquid if you so desire, but keep in mind that this may dilute the flavors. Season accordingly.

Roasted Sweet Potato Soup

• 3 large sweet potatoes
  
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon flour
  
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1 inch piece ginger, peeled and minced
  
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  
• 4 ounces heavy cream
• 8 ounces low-fat milk (I used 1%)
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Peel sweet potatoes and cut into a half-inch dice. Spread on a sheet pan in a single layer and roast at 400 degrees for 45 minutes.
2. Melt butter in a heavy pot over medium-low heat. Add the flour and cook until roux is just turning brown.
3. Add the broth and brown sugar and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer.
4. Stir in the sweet potatoes and spices and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
5. Ladle soup into a blender and puree.
   
6. Return the soup to the pot and add milk and cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy!