Ginger & Sweet Potato Soup with Cilantro

Ingredients2 teaspoons olive oil
1 medium leek, white part only, cut in half lengthwise, rinsed well between layers and thinly sliced
1 medium carrot, chopped
2 pounds sweet potatoes or yams, peeled and cubed
1 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped, plus 1 teaspoon grated
4 cups chicken broth, homemade or reduced-sodium canned, or vegetable stock
3/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/4 cup low-fat plain yogurt
2 tablespoons 1% milk
Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
Lime wedges

Instructions
1. Heat oil in a 4- to 6-quart Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add leek and carrot; cook, stirring often, until they begin to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in sweet potatoes (or yams) and chopped ginger. Add broth and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer until sweet potatoes are soft, about 30 minutes.

2. In batches, if necessary, transfer the soup to a blender or food processor and process until smooth. Return the soup to the pot, season with salt and reheat. Just before serving, stir in grated ginger. Whisk yogurt and milk in a small bowl until smooth. Ladle soup into bowls; drop a large dollop (or several small dollops) of thinned yogurt onto each one. Draw the tip of a knife or a toothpick through the yogurt to make decorative swirls. Garnish with cilantro and serve with lime wedges for squeezing into the soup.


Recipe by Judith Barrett; reprinted with permission of EatingWell, The Magazine of Food & Health.
Nutritional Information:
168 calories
2 total fat (0 g sat)
1 mg cholesterol
33 g carbohydrate
4 g protein
3 g fiber
606 mg sodium