Thursday, December 11, 2014

Sweet Potato and Red Lentil Bisque


This bisque has a very festive flair to me with the contrast of the bright orange soup to the green leaves of cilantro and the red pomegranate seeds. A bisque makes a perfect first course or appetizer for any holiday dinner.

I was afraid it would be a bit sweet for my taste, but the Thai red chili paste and pomegranates took care of that and gave it a nice zing. Taste it before serving and if it’s still not spicy enough, add a shot or two of Sriracha. This bisque can be made this ahead and gently heated prior to serving, or better yet, it can be frozen for up to eight weeks, making it one less thing that has to be prepared at the last minute.

For a cheery and colorful addition to your special holiday meals, give this sweet potato and red lentil bisque a try.



Sweet Potato and Red Lentil Bisque
Adapted from O, The Oprah Magazine – serves 6
Printable Recipe

1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped
1 cup red lentils, picked over and rinsed
½ cup dried apricots, quartered
¼ cup chopped shallots
¼ to ½ teaspoon Thai red chili paste – I used Thai red chili sauce
4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
¾ cup light coconut milk
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Chopped cilantro
4 tablespoons pomegranate juice or seeds, optional but recommended
Sriracha as needed

Place sweet potatoes, lentils, apricots, onion, chili paste, and broth in a large pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce to low heat, cover, and simmer until lentils are falling apart, about 25 minutes. Let soup sit, uncovered, 10 minutes.

Add coconut milk. Using a stick blender, puree soup until smooth, in batches if necessary. Stir in salt and pepper, and add more if desired. Taste and add more Thai red chili paste/sauce and/or Sriracha if desired (we did both). Divide pureed soup among bowls, top each with cilantro and pomegranate juice or seeds (if using) and serve.

Cook’s notes: Brown or green lentils can be substituted for the red but they won't fall apart as easily, so forgo the blending and serve the soup as a chunky stew instead. The bisque can be frozen for up to 8 weeks.



For better viewing, click photos to enlarge.

This will be shared with Foodie Friday at Rattlebridge Farm, Miz Helen’s Country Kitchen Full Plate Thursday, and Weekend Bites at Simple Recipes.    

Have a great weekend everyone.

33 comments:

  1. So flavorful and comforting! A wonderfully seasonal soup.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  2. Sounds like a very healthy meal Sam! Pretty too:@)

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  3. Delicious and beautiful--a winning combination!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  4. Amazing presentation, Sam. The colors! Really love the ingredients too...it sounds wonderful. The heat is a perfect balance to the sweet.

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  5. I bought some red lentils a while ago and they've been waiting for just the right inspiration. Thanks, Sam. Gorgoeus.

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  6. Sam, This is a very interesting bisque! I don't think that I've ever had a sweet potato soup or bisque of any kind. The addition of the apricots was a surprise. Thanks and Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

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  7. I am in such a mood for soup..we have so much snow Sam!
    Maybe today..love lentil soups!

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  8. It is cheery, beautiful and sounds delicious. I love how healthy it is too!

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  9. I love a creamy bisque and this one sounds really good!

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  10. This very interesting combination of ingredients made for a pretty and I'm sure delicious dish.

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  11. So very creamy and comforting! I would love this soup too, Sam.

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  12. Oh wow! Gorgeous and sounds incredibly delicious! I will definitely make this over the Christmas festivities. Thank you.

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  13. I'm always looking for new ways to cook sweet potatoes, Sam, as they are a favorite with my entire family. This soups looks delicious!

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  14. Sam, this is such a beautiful bisque, I am loving the apricot in it...indeed sounds delicious!
    Hope you are enjoying your week :)

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  15. Sounds delish Sam. I love red lentil soup and I have had a sweet potato and chickpea soup. This sounds like a cross between the two so I'm in.

    Madonna

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  16. I love sweet potatoes, bet this is great. Yum yum. Have a good day Diane

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  17. Sounds delicious....I love red lentils and sweet potatoes...a zesty dish to serve on one of these dreary days!

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  18. What an inspired holiday garnish! And the soup sounds delicious!

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  19. Sounds delicious and looks terrific. Beautiful colors presented. Thanks

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  20. Wow, could that be anymore perfectly golden? Great looking presentation, guys!

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  21. It looks a treat Sam ... creamy and delicious. Sweet potatoes with a touch of chili always makes for a superb taste sensation.


    "All Things French"

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  22. This is absolutely what I love about this time of year - fantastic soups like this one! LOVE the flavoring with the coconut milk and apricots -delicious!
    Mary

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  23. Not only delicious but beautiful as well! The combination of sweet and spicy sound wonderful. This would be a perfect start to a holiday meal.

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  24. The most gorgeous, festive soup I've ever seen. You are an artist, Sam.

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  25. Love your garnish Sam and the soup sounds absolutely delicious. Healthy too. Hope you and Meakin are enjoying the countdown to Christmas.

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  26. Hi Sam, apricots are such an interesting addition here, love the color!

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  27. Sam, it's pretty and sounds good too, so it's a winner! I'm imagining all the great flavors and spicy instead of sweet would be good. The apricot in it is definitely unique and delicious, I'm sure.

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  28. that bisque is so bright and colorful. love that it combines both lentils and sweet potatoes. 2 starches that people usually don't incorporate together. DELICIOUS!

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  29. I just bought some yams... same as sweet potatoes? I have all of the ingredients. I might give this a try this weekend. Feeling the need for more healthy vegetarian meals... so much rich holiday food. Pinned. Thanks for sharing this with us on Weekend Bites.

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  30. I really love the addition of the Thai red chili paste - sweet potatoes are usually too sweet for my love-of-savory. This offsets the sweetness plus it is so pretty!

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  31. Made with so many of the ingredients I enjoy eating! Nothing like a hot bowl of soup or bisque on a chilly day! What a gorgeous color as well!!!!

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  32. Sam,
    This is a beautiful bowl of soup that we would really enjoy! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a very special Christmas week!
    Miz Helen

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