Slow Cooker Sweet Potato & Yam Soup

Many people tend to confuse yams with sweet potatoes. In truth, they are nothing alike, particularly when talking about Japanese yams. The Japanese yam, which is definitely something to be tried, is a red-skinned, white-fleshed potato. It is not sweet nor does it taste like a sweet potato, but is more to the nutty side, like a chestnut.

Pairing a Japanese yam with the sweet potato makes for an ambrosial combination. I did just that when I made this wonderful, hearty autumn soup. If you're looking to make an exotic, spicy, warming soup, this is it. The yams and sweet potatoes complement each other beautifully giving the soup a not-too-sweet, lightly nutty flavor that is going to put this far and above any other sweet potato soup that you've ever tried. The addition of a wide variety of spices makes this extra special. This is a highly seasoned and spicy soup. Feel free to cut back to suit your own tastes. You can certainly cut the amount of chili powder by half or by thirds if you don't want a soup that is quite as spicy. Personally, I loved the zestiness of the soup; it is a real fall eye-opener.

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato & Yam Soup

1 1-lb. package Melissa’s Organic Baby Japanese Yams

1-lb. Melissa’s Jewel Sweet Potatoes

2 (16 ounce) cans coconut milk

1 onion, sliced

1 tablespoon dried basil

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin

Pinch of cinnamon

Pinch of cloves

Stir sweet potatoes, yams, coconut milk, onion, basil, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, and cloves together in a slow cooker.

Cook on High for 6 hours (or on Low for 8 hours). Using an immersion blender, blend soup. (I didn't blend mine until smooth because I wanted a chunky main dish soup.) If you lack an immersion blender, pour soup into a countertop blender no more than half-full. Cover and hold lid down; pulse a few times before leaving on to blend. Puree in batches until smooth. Garnish with sour cream and cilantro.

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This post is linked to: Over the Moon, Dishing It & Digging It, Art of Homemaking, Amaze Me Monday, Busy Mondays, Inspiration Monday, Cooking & Crafting with J&J, Inspire Me Tuesday, Tuesdays At Our Home, Two Cup Tuesday, Full Plate Thursday, and Foodie Friday & Everything Else