Creamy Sweet Potato Velouté with Crispy Bacon

Sweet Potato Velouté Recipe
Category: Soups & Starters
Serves: 4

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Prepare the Vegetables:
   Start by cleaning and trimming the spring onions. Slice them thinly and set them aside. In a large pot or pan, heat the olive oil and butter over very low heat. Add the chopped onions and allow them to cook slowly for at least 15 minutes. The goal is to soften the onions without browning them, so be patient and stir occasionally.

2. Peel the Sweet Potatoes:
   While the onions are softening, peel the sweet potatoes and chop them into chunks. The sweetness of the potatoes will provide a wonderful base for the velouté, so it’s important to cut them into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.

3. Cook the Sweet Potatoes:
   Once the onions are ready, add the chopped sweet potatoes to the pan along with the sweet paprika and salt to taste. Stir well to coat the sweet potatoes with the spices and the softened onions. If the mixture looks too thick, feel free to add a little vegetable broth to loosen it up. The sweet potatoes will absorb the flavors as they cook, making your velouté rich and flavorful.

4. Simmer the Soup:
   Pour in the vegetable broth and bring everything to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and cook for about 25-30 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender. The broth will gradually reduce, enriching the flavors. If needed, add more broth to maintain a soupy consistency.

5. Blend the Soup:
   Once the sweet potatoes are soft and cooked through, use an immersion blender or transfer the mixture to a regular blender. Blend until the soup becomes silky smooth and velvety. Add the fresh liquid cream to the mixture and blend again to incorporate. This will add creaminess and a luxurious texture to the velouté.

6. Cook the Bacon:
   While the soup is blending, heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place the slices of smoked bacon in the pan and cook until crispy. This will take about 5-7 minutes, depending on the thickness of the bacon slices. Once the bacon is crispy, remove it from the pan and set aside.

7. Serve the Velouté:
   Pour the velouté into four shallow bowls (or small individual bowls if you prefer). Garnish each bowl with a slice of crispy bacon placed in the center. Drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil on top for a finishing touch and a hint of extra richness. For an added crunch, serve the soup with some toasted bread or crispy crostini on the side.

Serving Suggestions:
This rich and velvety sweet potato velouté is perfect as a starter for a special meal or as a cozy, warming soup on a chilly evening. The sweetness of the potatoes, combined with the savory smoky bacon and the creamy finish, makes it a crowd-pleaser. Pair it with a simple green salad or some crusty bread for a complete meal.

Additional Tips:

• Texture Variations: If you prefer a chunkier soup, you can blend only half of the soup and leave the rest as it is. This will provide a more rustic texture.
• Vegetarian Version: To make this soup vegetarian, simply omit the smoked bacon and garnish with toasted nuts or croutons for added crunch.
• Spice it Up: If you like a little more heat, feel free to add a pinch of cayenne pepper along with the sweet paprika.

Enjoy your homemade sweet potato velouté, a dish that brings comfort and warmth to every spoonful!