Makes: 8 servings
1 tbsp butter
1 small onion, chopped
¼ cup chopped carrot
¼ cup chopped celery
3 medium-size sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
2 pears, pealed and diced
½ tsp dried thyme
1 tsp paprika
5 cups chicken broth
1/3 cup whipping cream
2 tsp maple syrup (or to taste)
2 tsp lime juice (or to taste)
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
In a pot, heat butter on medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery and saute for 1 min.
Add sweet potatoes, pears, and thyme and saute for about 2 min. Add paprika and chicken broth. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 min or until sweet potato is soft.
Puree in a blender or food processor until smooth. Return to pot.
Add cream, maple syrup and lime juice. Simmer for 5 min. If soup is too thick, add a little extra broth. Season with salt and pepper, adding more syrup or lime juice as needed. Can be made up to two days ahead of time.