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Green Soup with Yams & Sage
8 Reviews
From: EatingWell Magazine September/October 2011
This kale and spinach soup has a beautiful complexity. It's slightly sweet, with a bright note of lemon and the subtle aromatics of thyme, sage and garlic. Japanese yams are marvelously flavorful; they have a dark purplish skin and are snow-white inside. Ask for them at your farmers' market or grocery, but if they are unavailable, regular sweet potatoes can be substituted. Recipe by Anna Thomas for EatingWell.
- By: Anna Thomas EatingWell Recipe Contributor
Ingredients 8 servings
for serving adjustment
Serving size has been adjusted!
Original recipe yields 8 servings
Nutrition per serving may change if servings are adjusted.
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided, plus more for garnish
- 2 large onions, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 2 tablespoons plus 4 cups water, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, sliced
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried
- 1 large bunch Tuscan, lacinato or Russian kale
- 2 medium or 1 very large Japanese yam or regular sweet potato (about 1 1/4 pounds)
- 14 cups gently packed spinach (about 12 ounces), any tough stems trimmed
- 8 fresh sage leaves or 1 teaspoon crumbled dried
- 4 cups vegetable broth, store-bought or homemade
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, or more to taste
- Freshly ground pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon agave nectar, or more to taste (optional)
- 16 fried sage leaves for garnish (see above)
Preparation
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Active
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Ready In
- Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add onions and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, stir in 2 tablespoons water, garlic and thyme and cover. Cook, stirring frequently until the pan cools down, and then occasionally, always covering the pan again, until the onions are greatly reduced and have a deep caramel color, 25 to 35 minutes.
- Meanwhile, remove tough stems and ribs from kale and coarsely chop the greens. Peel yam (or sweet potato) and dice into 1-inch pieces. Coarsely chop spinach; set aside.
- Combine the remaining 4 cups water and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a soup pot or Dutch oven; add the kale, yam (or sweet potato) and sage. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes.
- Stir in the spinach, return to a simmer, cover and cook, stirring once halfway through, for 10 minutes more. When the onions are caramelized, stir a little of the simmering liquid into them; add them to the soup. Add broth; return to a simmer, cover and cook for 5 minutes more.
- Puree the soup in the pot with an immersion blender until perfectly smooth or in a regular blender in batches (return it to the pot). Stir in cayenne, a few grinds of pepper and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. If the soup is sweet to your taste, add more lemon juice; if it's too tart, add agave nectar, if desired. Just before serving, whisk the remaining 1 tablespoon oil into the hot soup. Garnish each bowl of soup with a drizzle of oil and 2 fried sage leaves.
- Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- To make fried sage leaves: Set a small strainer over a heatproof bowl. Heat about 1/2 inch olive or canola oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add sage leaves; fry just until crisp, 1 to 3 minutes. Drain in the strainer then spread out on a paper towel until ready to use.
- Serving size: about 1 1/2 cups
- Per serving: 119 calories; 6 g fat(1 g sat); 3 g fiber; 16 g carbohydrates; 3 g protein; 61 mcg folate; 0 mg cholesterol; 5 g sugars; 0 g added sugars; 12894 IU vitamin A; 23 mg vitamin C; 91 mg calcium; 2 mg iron; 655 mg sodium; 365 mg potassium
- Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (268% daily value), Vitamin C (38% dv), Folate (15% dv).
- Carbohydrate Servings: 1
- Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat
Reviews 8
February 16, 2015
By: jupett
Healthy but taste-wise only so-so
I was out of thyme so substituted marjoram. Not sure that thyme would have made a significant difference in the overall taste. I prefer this as a cold soup but I doubt I will make this recipe again as the overall flavor and texture was not a big hit with either me or my husband.
Pros: Healthy
Cons: Not a flavor knock out
October 29, 2013
By: EatingWell User
Satisfying and So Delicious
The preparation is simple (omitted the fried sage) and the outcome is superb. Loved the flavor and texture, along with the nutritional value. I'm making it again for the second time this month.
Pros: Feel great about eating this healthy, vibrant green soup for lunch, dinner or a snack.
June 08, 2012
By: EatingWell User
A winner!
I know this recipe was given as a great fall or winter soup, but during summer I have been making BATCHES of this soup with the bountiful greens I have been getting. Don't feel the need to use only spinach or kale. I have used various lettuces and chard and even bok choy. So versitile and so delicious. Makes a great, light summer soup that even my husband loves. (I have added small amount of wine to the onions before adding them to the pot and its yummy!)
December 08, 2011
By: EatingWell User
Recommend
I have made this soup a couple of times now. Definitely use the white Japanese sweet potatoes if you can find them, they do make a difference. I like things spicy so added more cayenne. Did not make the sage leaves. I like it with a dollop of fresh goat cheese and some croutons.
Pros: Healthy, tasty
November 01, 2011
By: EatingWell User
Scary but good
Because of the yams, this green soup is kind of a scary color green, but it tastes really good. The carmalized onions make this soup. I would suggest adding more cayenne.
Pros: hearty, full of flavor, suprising
Cons: needs more spice
October 09, 2011
By: greenmachine31
Good and healthy
This is a good soup, but I make it and eat it because it is so healthy and low in calorie. I will be making it again, it's a nice start to a healthy week night dinner. I think it needs a little more spice (although I don't add the cayenne) I use an African Smoke spice that I bought a Trader Joe's and it makes everything smokey and delicious.
Pros: Healthy
October 05, 2011
By: jmo
Delicious
This soup is really, really good. I will be making it again. It would be great as a first course for a dinner party or just alongside a sandwich, though it's not hearty enough to be a meal on it's own.
Pros: Very tasty
October 04, 2011
By: m.carlson-smith
Perfect blend of fall flavors
I was a tiny bit apprehensive about making this soup due to the sheer amount of greens. I thought it might be "green overload", but it was delightful. The yams and caramelized onions totally balance out the bitter greens. I did make one slight change due to an ingredient shortage. I only had one sweet potato, so I used one regular old russet potato along with one sweet potato. I'm not sure how much of a difference that made, but either way it tasted great. Will definitely make again!
Pros: Super healthy, easy to make
Cons: Time-consuming
