Roasted Apple and Sweet Potato Soup with Spiced Walnuts

During these chilly winter days, almost nothing could compare to a warm, homemade bowl of soup. Especially this soup with it’s perfect blend of sweet apples, sweet potato and savory spices.  Just the smell of the apples and sweet potatoes roasting in the oven will warm you from the inside-out. The velvety, wholesome soup is great to make in a big batch for quick and easy lunch to help maintain your stamina level throughout your workday.

Ingredients (Makes 6 servings)

Soup:

• 5 cups sweet potatoes (3 to 4 medium potatoes) peeled and cubed
• 1 1/2 cups apples; peeled, cored, and quartered
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1 long, red chilli pepper, left whole with ends removed
• 2 1/2 Tbsp vegetable or canola oil
• 1/2 Tbsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 cup onion, peeled and chopped
• 1 sprig fresh thyme
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 1/4 cup cold water
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

Spiced Walnuts:

• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 cup halved walnuts
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

To Make:

Soup:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C)
2. In a large bowl, add sweet potatoes, apples, cinnamon, chilli pepper, salt pepper, and oil. Stir well combined
3. Line baking sheet with parchment; Spread potato and apple mixture evenly on baking sheet and place in oven
4. Roast for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally, until apples and sweet potatoes are golden and tender
5. In a large pot over medium-high heat, add butter and melt completely
6. Add chopped onions and thyme; saute for 5 minutes or until onions are tender and lightly golden
7. Add roasted potato and apple mixture, milk, and water. Decrease heat to medium and let simmer for 20 to 30 minutes
8. Make spiced walnuts while soup is simmering
9. Once simmered, remove the chilli and thyme sprigs; puree soup with blender until smooth
10. Stir in apple cider vinegar before serving

Spiced Walnuts

1. While soup is simmering, heat a small small frying pan over medium heat, add butter and let melt
2. Add thyme, cinnamon, cayenne, walnuts, salt and pepper
3. Continue to saute for 5 minutes; stirring frequently until walnuts are golden