Spiced sweet potato soup with garlicky croutons recipe

Sweet, spicy and very satisfying, this sweet potato soup is perfectly complemented with a serving of garlicky croutons. Make a big batch and save for lunches, starters and dinner times.

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 leeks, trimmed and chopped (about 500g/1lb prepared weight)
• 1 onion, peeled and chopped
• 500g (1lb) prepared weight of sweet potato, diced
• 1 tsp each ground cumin and ground turmeric
• 900ml (1½ pints) hot vegetable stock, plus an extra 600ml (1 pint) stock, for serving
• 410g can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• Salt and ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp seed mix, dry-fried, optional
• A little chilli or paprika flavoured oil, optional

For the croutons:

• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 2 large cloves garlic, peeled
• 4 thick slices white bread, crusts removed

Method

1. Heat 2 tbsp of the oil in a large pan and fry the leeks and onion gently for 5 mins. Add the rest of the oil and then fry the sweet potato, stirring, for about 3 mins.
2. Stir in the spices, then pour in the stock and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer gently for 15-20 mins until the potato is soft. Add the chickpeas and cook for another 5 mins.
3. Blend the soup in a food processor until smooth. Pour back into the pan, add extra stock to get the consistency you like, and heat through. Check the seasoning. Ladle into bowls, sprinkle with seeds and a few croutons, and drizzle with chilli or paprika-flavoured oil, if you like.
4. To make the croutons: Set the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas Mark 6. Put the oil in a small roasting tin with the whole, lightly squashed garlic cloves. Put in the oven for 10 mins until hot. Break the bread into small cubes and stir into the hot oil to coat them. Cook them for 10-15 mins until golden, turning them halfway through cooking.